Authorities in Pennsylvania have arrested three individuals they say participated in the death of a toddler earlier this year.

According to local news reports, 29-year-old Brian Bennett and 29-year old Brittany Higgins are both expected to face an array of criminal charges including third-degree murder, drug delivery resulting in death, endangering the welfare of children, and additional drug-related charges.

A third suspect, 43-year-old Rodney Mower, is facing one count of drug delivery resulting in death.

According to Pennsylvania State Police, officers responded to a Greencastle home on the evening of January 6 after receiving a report of a deceased child.

Logan Starliper, 3, was reportedly found dead at around 9 p.m. that night due to what analysis later determined was toxicity caused by a mixture of methamphetamine and buprenorphine.

Higgins, the victim’s mother, and Bennett, her boyfriend, were allegedly using methamphetamine they bought from Mower on the day before Starliper’s body was discovered.

Prosecutors are using the tragedy to highlight a larger issue impacting Franklin County and much of the nation.

“The death of a sweet, innocent little girl is the most heartbreaking example of the danger the overdose epidemic has brought to our community and region,” said District Attorney Matthew Fogal. “We will avenge her, and will not rest (or) tire in working to prevent this from happening to others.”

According to the Chambersburg Public Opinion, Higgins posted several photos of the child on Facebook following her death.

“Now, she really is an Angel,” the mother reportedly wrote in a caption to a February 4 post.

Her Facebook page has reportedly since been deleted.

[Featured image: Pixabay]