Boy, 3, with Autism Lay Dead 'for Hours' at Daycare Owned by Former City Councilwoman, Mom Claims
A mother in Missouri is alleging that her son with autism died while at a daycare owned by a now former city councilwoman
PEOPLE obtained a copy of the redacted lawsuit, which alleges Conrad Ashcraft "suffered a fatal injury" on May 16 while at Poppy's Playhouse 2 in Park Hills, Missouri
In his obituary, Conrad is remembered as a boy who "loved swimming, Toy Story, Ms. Rachel, Cocomelon, and the movie Cars"A mother in Missouri is alleging that her son with autism died while at a daycare owned by a now former city councilwoman.
According to a copy of the redacted lawsuit obtained by PEOPLE, Tara Williams claims that her son, who was later identified as Conrad Ashcraft, "suffered a fatal injury" on Friday, May 16, while at Poppy's Playhouse 2 in Park Hills, Mo.
She claims that an employee of the daycare, who was not named, "through the use of lower extremities, applied weight and pressure" to his "chest and/or abdomen, while he was laying down, in order to subdue" him "in an effort to sleep."
Williams claims that the defendant, Poppy's Playhouse, LLC, "failed to properly train and supervise its employees" and "knew and approved of the technique of using human extreminities and/or other devices to apply weight and pressure to a child's body in an effort to subdue a child into sleep."
Because of this, Williams claims that the day care failed to recognize when her son "was suffocating or had suffocated" and, allegedly, therefore, "was killed and remained laying on the floor of Defendant's facility for hours without any effort to determine his wellbeing."
While not mentioned in the suit, Lacey Hardie, Conrad's aunt, told KDSK that Conrad was nonverbal with autism, noting that his "words were limited" and he had "recently learned to say I love you."
In his obituary, Conrad is remembered as a boy who "loved swimming, Toy Story, Ms. Rachel, Cocomelon, and the movie Cars."
"He also loved pizza and enjoyed spending time with his parents and his family," the obituary reads.
The city of Park Hills confirmed in a statement that the daycare is owned by a member of the Park Hills City Council, which led them to refer the matter to the St. Francois County Sheriff's Department.
"This ensures the investigation is conducted independently and without influence," the statement said. "We understand the community's grief and concern. The city has full confidence in the independent investigation and believes that accountability is essential, regardless of the circumstances."
According to court documents reviewed by PEOPLE, the daycare is owned by Spring Gray. Mayor Stacey Easter said in a statement on Tuesday, May 20, that Gray "submitted her formal letter of resignation from her position as Ward 2 City Council member."
The city of Park Hills also confirmed her resignation in their own statement, expressing that "her decision follows recent developments involving her privately owned business."
St. Francois County Sheriff Jeffrey Crites said in a press release that the sheriff's office "immediately launched an inquiry and continue to work diligently to uncover all relevant facts surrounding the incident."
"Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones affected by this heartbreaking event," the press release said. It asked anyone with relevant information to come forward as the investigation remains active.
PEOPLE has reached out to the sheriff's department for comment.
On Wednesday, May 21, KDSK reported, citing the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, that Poppy's Playhouse 2's operating license has been suspended amid the sheriff department's death investigation.The news station said the suspension was immediate, and the daycare had 10 days to appeal the decision. A Google listing for Poppy's Playhouse 2 shows the daycare as "temporarily closed."
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PEOPLE reached out to a number listed for Poppy's Playhouse 2 for comment, as well as the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
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