REDDING, Calif. (KHSL) – The parents of a 2-year-old girl have been arrested after allegedly killing her and then burying her in a nature preserve.

Riley Royal, 28, and Amanda Royal, 24, are charged with aggravated murder and child abuse resulting in death.

The arrest came after detectives conducted a welfare check on the 2-year-old in January.

Detectives learned from the Royals that their 2-year-old daughter died in October and was illegally buried.

Detectives discovered the child was buried near the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area three months after the child died.

After exhuming the child’s body, the police determined that the cause of death was homicide.

Two neighbors say it’s horrifying to hear what happened.

“You can’t kill your children,” said Terry Knickerbocker.

The Shasta County Major Crimes Unit says they discovered another child was living with the royals during their initial contact with the couple in January.

That child was placed in protective custody with Shasta County Children’s Services.

Both Riley Royal and Amanda Royal are in the Shasta County Jail without bond.

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