Troopers were called to the residence in February of last year for a report of an unresponsive child. When they arrived, the toddler was pale and blue, and troopers began administering CPR, police said. The child was taken to a local hospital, but life-saving efforts were unsuccessful and the child was pronounced dead.
As investigators examined the home, they found it did not have running water, heat, or electricity, and there was no sign of edible food inside, according to police.
The temperature inside the residence was about 28 degrees at the time, and troopers reported the home was filled with feces, urine, and garbage.
While attempting to question Michael Blasser and Ashley Makarsky about what happened, troopers believed the pair were under the influence of illicit substances, police said.
Blood tests performed the same day showed both Blasser and Makarsky tested positive for methamphetamine and amphetamine, according to state police.
Children and Youth Services took emergency custody of another child who was living in the home as the investigation continued.
A urine test conducted on that child was positive for norfentanyl — a metabolite of fentanyl — indicating the child had recently ingested fentanyl, investigators said.
An autopsy conducted by the Westmoreland County Coroner’s Office determined the 15-month-old had been dead significantly longer than when the 911 call was placed based on the victim’s internal temperature.
A forensic pathologist ruled the child’s death was caused by acute methamphetamine toxicity, according to police.
Baby Dies In Feces-Filled Home While In Drugged Couple's Care; Murder Charges Filed: PSP
A 15-month-old child’s death inside a filthy, freezing home has led to third-degree murder charges against two adults in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania State Police announced on Monday, March 16.Michael Blasser, 34, of Acme, and Ashley …
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The parents of a 15-month-old baby are being held at the Westmoreland County Jail, a year after the child was found dead. Police said the mother’s breast milk ultimately led to the death of her child.
“This is just horrific,” said Trooper Steve Limani with the Pennsylvania State Police. ”Could you imagine being an infant and literally your only form of surviving is to have breast milk, but the breast milk has meth in it?”
Michael Blasser, 34, and Ashley Makarsky, 31, are facing several charges after police were called to their Mount Pleasant Township home in February of last year.
It was later revealed that Thomas died of toxicity of meth. Markarsky was breastfeeding him and police say she tested positive for methamphetamine along with several other drugs.
It was also revealed that Thomas had been dead long before 911 was called. A two-year-old was also taken from the home. Although alive, lab results showed he too had recently ingested fentanyl. Police say the two-year-old had survived a similar scenario with breast milk in 2022.
“Makarsky had another child previously, and that child also went through some of these similar scenarios. Now, that child did not pass away, but the child was in children’s hospital and was also going through an ingestion of breast milk that had methamphetamine in it,” Limani said.
Parents of baby who died from ingesting methamphetamine charged a year later
Police said the mother’s breast milk ultimately led to the death of her child.
