GAS CITY — The stepmother of a murdered 10-year-old Gas City girl, Amanda Carmack, has been formally charged with murder, neglect of a dependent resulting in death, domestic battery resulting in death and strangulation.
Carmack, 34, was arrested in connection with the homicide of Skylea Carmack on Wednesday. Skylea's body was found in a shed behind her home, covered in a plastic trash bag around 3 a.m. Wednesday morning.
Grant County Prosecutors have filed a notice of intent to seek life in prison without parole, according to court records.
Skylea's death was a result of strangulation, according to the Grant County Coroner. She died on Saturday — four days before she was found by Indiana State Police.
When questioned by detectives about whether she had done anything to Skylea, Carmack reportedly stated, "I don't remember" or "It doesn't matter," according to court documents.
Eventually, Carmack admitted she killed the 10-year-old in the barn behind their house. Carmack described choking Skylea with her hand and then tying "something" around Skylea's neck.
Court documents state Carmack killed her stepdaughter because she was angry.
During the investigation, Skylea's six other siblings told detectives Carmack was "a strict disciplinarian," and she had physically abused them.
Skylea had been restricted to her bedroom for the last week and a half before her death, according to the probable cause affidavit.
READ | Family and friends devastated after the murder of a Gas City 10-year-old |
Multiple search crews had been out looking for Skylea since Friday, Aug. 30.
WATCH | Gas City residents hold a vigil for Skylea Carmack |
