Virginia couple to face charges in girl's disappearance with Westmoreland case resolved

A Virginia couple who authorities believe were caring for a 3-year-old girl when she died were sentenced this week in Westmoreland County court on receiving stolen property, drug and related charges.

Assistant District Attorney James Lazar said Travis R. Brown, 29, and Candi Jo Royer, 41, both of Waynesboro, Va., were each sentenced to two months to a year in the Westmoreland County Prison.

“They’re going to be relinquished to their Virginia detainers,” he said.

Brown and Royer pleaded guilty to having stolen checks and methamphetamine in a room at the Knights Inn along Route 119 in South Greensburg. They were found there Sept. 12 after the mother of Khaleesi Cuthriell told police she placed the girl in the care of Royer in October 2020. Royer’s family told authorities that the girl hadn’t been seen since February. Virginia State Police issued an Endangered Child Alert for Khaleesi on Sept. 8 and began looking for Royer and Brown.

Pennsylvania State Police found them at the motel after receiving information that a stolen car the couple was believed to be driving was parked there. Virginia authorities spoke with the pair while they were being held at the Hempfield jail.

Investigators said afterwards that they believed Khaleesi died while in the care of Brown and Royer after searching their Virginia home. The girl’s body has not been found. They were charged with a felony count of child abuse and neglect and waived extradition in September.