Savannah Miller, 31, has been charged with murder after allegedly getting drunk while babysitting her girlfriend’s four-month-old child, Renzi McCall. The infant, who sustained severe injuries, later died. The incident occurred in Reed City, Michigan, on July 21, 2024.
Reed City Police responded to an apartment on West Franklin Avenue around 2 a.m. on July 21 following reports of an unresponsive infant. Renzi McCall was found in a Pack ‘n Play with multiple bruises and a severe injury to her right eye.
Renzi McCall’s mother, Amber McCall, had been working a shift at McDonald’s and could not reach Miller by phone. After her shift ended at about 1:40 a.m., Amber and a co-worker went to the apartment, where they saw Miller, who shares the apartment with Amber, asleep through a window. After gaining entry to the apartment, they discovered the severely injured baby. Paramedics were called, and Renzi was transported to Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, where she was placed on life support.
The child underwent brain surgery due to swelling but continued to suffer seizures and further brain swelling. She was taken off life support on July 25.
During the investigation, Reed City Police arrested Miller on initial charges of child abuse. Court documents revealed that Miller had ordered 10 mini Fireball whiskey “shooters” via DoorDash while babysitting despite having been sober for three to four months. Miller admitted to having a low tolerance for alcohol and described the evening as blurry.
Miller claimed that Renzi’s injuries were accidental, stating that the baby fell from a bed and a kitchen counter and that she had also hit the baby’s head on a sharp edge while carrying her. However, the severity and number of injuries raised suspicions.
After Renzi’s death, Miller’s charges were upgraded to first-degree child abuse, second-degree child abuse, felony murder, and second-degree murder.
Miller’s stepsisters, Regina Resseguie and Desiree Gilbert, have consistently raised concerns about Miller’s behavior, warning authorities for years that she posed a danger to her own children. Resseguie said Miller should have been incarcerated rather than in Reed City, describing her as manipulative.
Gilbert expressed ongoing worries about the safety of Miller’s children and highlighted their efforts to bring Miller to justice for past incidents of abuse. They are devastated by Renzi’s death and plan to attend all of Miller’s court hearings to seek justice for the baby. Resseguie also pointed out that Renzi’s mother was unaware of Miller’s history because no charges had been previously filed against her.
Renzi’s grandfather, Jeremiah White, expressed his anger over the situation. He pointed out that losing a grandchild in such a manner is profoundly different from a car accident or a fall, highlighting that it was caused by someone intentionally harming the young child. White stressed the critical need to be vigilant about who is entrusted with the care of children, noting that there are no second chances for their safety.
Miller is scheduled to appear in court again on August 1. The Reed City Police Department continues to investigate the case, and further information will be released as it becomes available.