Two Acme residents are facing third-degree murder charges after a 15-month-old child died from a methamphetamine overdose in a home that investigators found was freezing and filled with waste.
Michael Blasser, 34, and Ashley Makarsky, 31, were arraigned Monday on charges of murder, involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment. The charges stem from a February 2025 incident at a home on Crestview Drive.
State police originally responded to the residence for a report of a child who was not breathing. Troopers found the toddler pale and blue; they began CPR, but the child was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Inside the home, investigators found no running water, heat or electricity. Despite the winter conditions, the temperature inside was recorded at just 28 degrees. Police said the residence was filled with garbage, feces and urine, with no sign of edible food.
When troopers first questioned Blasser and Makarsky at the scene, they noted the pair appeared to be under the influence of drugs. Subsequent blood tests confirmed both were positive for methamphetamine and amphetamine.
A forensic pathologist determined the 15-month-old died of acute methamphetamine toxicity, police said. Based on the child’s internal temperature, investigators believe the victim had been dead significantly longer than the time elapsed before the 911 call was placed.
During the investigation, Children and Youth Services took emergency custody of a second child found in the home. Testing revealed that child had norfentanyl in their system, indicating they had recently ingested fentanyl, police said.
Blasser and Makarsky are being held at the Westmoreland County Prison after failing to post $1 million bail.
A March 25 preliminary hearing is set in Judge Charles Moore’s East Huntingdon court.
Attorneys for Blasser and Makarsky were not listed in court records.