Mount Pleasant Township, PA -- Pennsylvania State Police charged an Acme man and woman with third-degree murder after the death of a 15-month-old last year. 

Michael Blasser, 34, and Ashley Makarsky, 31, are also facing involuntary manslaughter and endangering the welfare of children, in addition to the third-degree murder charge. 

State police responded to Crestview Drive in Mount Pleasant Township in February of 2025 for an unresponsive child. 

Troopers began administering CPR on the child who was unresponsive, pale, and blue. The child was taken to a local hospital, but life-saving measures were unsuccessful, and the child was pronounced deceased. 

As investigators began to probe the incident, they observed the residence did not have running water, heat, electricity, or any sign of edible food. 

The temperature inside of the residence was reportedly 28 degrees at the time, and the home was filled with feces, urine, and garbage. 

As state police attempted to question Blasser and Makarsky about what transpired, troopers believed they were under the influence of illicit substances. 

Blood draws were performed on Blasser and Makarsky on the same date of the incident, and both tested positive for methamphetamine and amphetamine, according to state police. 

Children and Youth Services took emergency custody of another child in the residence as a result of the incident and subsequent active investigation. 

A urine test performed on the child who was living in the residence at the time, was positive for norfentanyl, a metabolite for fentanyl, indicating the child ingested fentanyl recently. 

An autopsy was conducted on the 15-month-old child by the Westmoreland County Coroner's Office. 

The autopsy revealed the victim was deceased significantly longer than when the 911 call was placed, based upon the victim's internal temperature. 

A forensic pathologist determined the 15-month-old victim died as a result of acute methamphetamine toxicity. 

Blasser and Makarsky were arraigned on Monday and were remanded to the Westmoreland County Prison after failing to post $1 million bail. 

Disclaimer: To the extent that pending criminal matters are discussed, all such charges are merely accusations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.