"She just gave up": mother accused of concealing daughter's 2023 death in Rotterdam home

Rotterdam, NY (WRGB) — A breakthrough came Thursday in a case with more questions than answers since July 2023. Two people, including her mother, were arrested and charged for the death of Skylar Pettit.

The 24-year-old woman was found wrapped in plastic, dead in her home on Greenpoint Avenue in Rotterdam last year. That was July 24th. Prosecutors confirmed Thursday that Skyler died months prior, in April. Skylar had Down syndrome and diabetes. She was insulin-dependent and relied on her mother’s care. Her mother, Amber Geier, was a nurse practitioner.

"It seems that at some point she just gave up,” Schenectady County District Attorney Robert Carney said. Skylar’s insulin prescription was last filled out in February 2022. Prosecutors believe Geier stopped taking appropriate care of Skylar that summer.

She became bedridden and was wasting away.

“Amber Geier told police that one morning in April she went into Skylar's room and found that she had died during the night,” explained Carney. “She claimed she couldn't bear to leave her side so she kept her corpse in her bedroom rather than call authorities.”

Geier and her boyfriend Rickey Loika were both arraigned Thursday morning, indicted by a Grand Jury. Geier faces nine counts, one of them manslaughter in the second degree, criminally negligent homicide, endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person, and grand larceny. Loika faces hindering prosecution in the second degree. Both are also accused of concealment of a human corpse and 4 counts of animal cruelty, for puppies found in inhumane conditions.

Skyler was found during a welfare check, prompted by someone who knew her from the Mohanasen Central School District.

“At first both of these people assured police that Skylar was fine. When the police asked to see her in person they admitted she was deceased for some time,” added Carney.

Skylar's cousin Justin Grygas has been fighting for justice since news of her death broke last July. He says the charges are disturbing.

“Happy, always happy no matter what her conditions were living conditions or treatment or whatever she was always happy,” Gyrgas said Thursday, “We’re hoping for justice in any way shape, or form at this point.”

A financial investigation alleges Geier continued to collect Social Security benefits for Skyler after her death, court documents allege the total exceeded $3,000, Carney says he believes it's around $5,000.

Geier is being held in Schenectady County jail, unable to post her full bail amount. Loika was released on supervision of probation.

“If you've reached a point where you can’t take care you can’t do it anymore just don't let them die,” said Carney.