15-month-old child died from ingesting meth through mother's breast milk, police say
It's the third instance of a child being exposed to toxic milk by the couple, police said.
A mother and father of a 15-month-old child who died have been arrested after an investigation determined the child died from ingesting methamphetamine.
Pennsylvania state police responded to a call on Feb. 12, 2025, at the Mt. Pleasant Township residence of 34-year-old Michael Thomas Blaesser and 31-year-old Ashley Amber Makarsky.
Another child at the home, who was 3 years old, tested positive for fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine.
Police found the unresponsive boy and transported him to the Independence Health Frick Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The living conditions at the residence were described as "beyond deplorable" by officers.
"There was no food in the house that we saw that was edible," Trooper Steve Limani said. "The temperatures were below freezing within the home. The only heat source for the house was a kerosene heater that emitted fumes that you could strongly smell ... along with fecal matter and garbage."
There was no running water or electricity, the roof had holes in it, and the temperature inside was 28 degrees. A mattress appeared to have mold growing on it.
Limani says the boy was likely exposed to methamphetamine through drinking the mother's toxic breast milk.
An investigation discovered that the parents had a history of drug abuse and had been involved in two other cases where children where exposed to drug-laced breast milk, according to Limani.
The three alleged incidents provided enough evidence for the parents to be charged with third-degree murder. They may also be charged with involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment.
Another child at the home, who was 3 years old, tested positive for fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine, according to police.
"There is a pattern set forth about where a person should know and understand the consequences of taking illicit substances and then using your body to ... sustain life for your child — you're feeding it drugs and potentially going to kill your child," Limani said. "And that's what took place."
The pair were each given a $1 million bond. An attorney for Makarsky said the mother is "gutted" by the accusations and said it was the first time she'd gotten into trouble as far as the attorney knew.
A TribLIVE report said that court papers did not reference breast milk as the reason the child died.
"Those were the results of their horrific neglect and absolute disregard for trying to take care of a [child] that relied solely on these two individuals," Limani added.
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