HARRISBURG, PA – A Cambria County woman has admitted guilt in connection with the fentanyl-related death of her 5-year-old daughter, resulting in a state prison sentence.
Volaura Askew, 27, entered a guilty plea to charges of involuntary manslaughter, endangering the welfare of a child, and recklessly endangering another person. Following a plea agreement, Askew was sentenced on Monday to serve two to four years in state prison.
The tragic incident, which took the life of Askew’s young daughter in October 2022, highlights the severe dangers of fentanyl. Attorney General Michelle Henry remarked on the lasting impact of this tragedy on the community and those who loved the young girl, attributing the devastation to the actions of her mother. An investigation revealed that Askew exposed her daughter to fentanyl/heroin leading up to the child’s death in their Johnstown home. An autopsy confirmed the girl died from a fentanyl overdose.
Further investigations implicated Albert Spicer and Elyse Young in drug-related offenses, with Spicer identified as a supplier and Young’s home used as a drug stash house. Both Askew and Young had used fentanyl and heroin in the presence of Askew’s two daughters, culminating in the fatal overdose of the 5-year-old.