Pittsburgh-area couple charged in death of 15-month-old appear in court for first time

The Mount Pleasant Township couple that is accused of killing their 15-month-old baby was in court for the first time on Wednesday.

Michael Blasser and Ashley Makarsky face multiple charges, including involuntary manslaughter, endangering the welfare of a child, and third-degree murder of their 15-month-old baby, who the county coroner said likely died from ingesting methamphetamine, which he got through his mother’s breast milk back in February.

The couple did not speak with the media, but they did waive their right to a preliminary hearing, expediting this case to move to the Court of Common Pleas.

KDKA-TV spoke with Makarsky’s attorney, Jonathan Nace, who said that murder charges like this can be complex and that he needs to collect all the facts to aid in his client’s defense.

“She’s gutted by this whole situation, and this is tough for anyone,” Nace said. “As far as I am aware, this is the first time she’s in trouble. So, serious cases need to be taken seriously, and that means you are careful, you’re deliberate, you’re doing what you need to do. It is not going to be a fast process; it never is. But I’m not worried about doing things fast, I am worried about doing things right.”

While this couple remains incarcerated in the Westmoreland County Prison, they are due back in court on May 13.