Latest news with #ConradAshcraft
Yahoo
5 days ago
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Sheriff's Dept. turns over findings in daycare death to Prosecuting Attorney's Office
Editor's note: This clip is from May 19, 2025 PARK HILLS, Mo. – The St. Francois County Sheriff's Department is continuing its investigation into the death of 3-year-old Conrad Ashcraft. Ashcraft, a boy with special needs, died at the Poppy's Playhouse 2 daycare earlier this month. According to a FOX 2 report, the Missouri Office of Childhood sent a letter to the facility, saying that Conrad was secluded in a hallway during naptime because he was whining and crying. The statement continued to say that a provider at the center trapped his arms in a tucked blanket and laid her legs down over his legs. It says she covered him with an 18.2 lb. weighted blanket. No one checked on the child for hours, and he was found dead four hours later when his mom showed up to pick him up. Conrad was laid to rest on May 23, and since then, the daycare has lost its license. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now His death sparked outrage, with many calling for justice, as no charges have been filed at this point. The St. Francois County sent a statement to FOX 2 on May 30, with new details in relation to the investigation. According to the department, it turned over 'relevant' findings of Conrad's death to the Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney's Office for review on May 29. 'This step ensures a thorough and impartial assessment of the case in accordance with the legal procedures,' the department wrote. The department says it is awaiting additional reports from external sources that could potentially contribute to the investigation. 'Any decisions regarding criminal prosecution will be made by the Prosecuting Attorney's Office upon completion of the review process,' the department concluded. Future updates regarding the investigation will be provided once it becomes available, according to the department, but so far, no charges have been filed as of now. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
Boy laid to rest as daycare death investigation continues
PARK HILLS, Mo. – Hundreds show their support for Conrad Ashcraft, the 3-year-old boy who died at daycare in Park Hills. The daycare, Poppy's Playhouse 2, has lost its license. Missouri's Office of Childhood wrote a letter to the facility, stating that Conrad was secluded in a hallway during naptime because he was whining and crying. It says a provider at the center trapped his arms in a tucked blanket and laid her legs down over his legs. It says she covered him with an 18.2 lb. weighted blanket. No one checked on Conrad for hours. He was found dead four hours later when his mom showed up to pick him up. No charges have been filed at this point. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Hours before the funeral was set to take place on Friday, hundreds had shown up at the funeral home to show their support. Cars were painted with 'Justice for Conrad.' Blue balloons and banners hung around town to raise autism awareness in his honor. 'I know these streets will be lined, I'm sure, from here all the way to the gravesite. There's going to be a tremendous amount of support,' Conrad's cousin, Danielle Love, said. Family friend Justin Williams also has a child with autism. They would play with Conrad frequently. 'That smile always lit up a room. He did what he wanted, and the world was his oyster,' he said. The St. Francois County Sheriff's Dept. Put out a statement on Friday saying it is 'unwavering in their pursuit of truth and justice and is dedicated to ensuring a comprehensive and transparent investigation.' An autopsy was conducted earlier this week, but no cause of death has been determined. FOX 2 called the St. Francois County coroner on Friday but has not heard back. In a new twist to the investigation, it was revealed that the daycare's owner used to work for the St. Francois County Prosecutor's Office. As a result, it has recused itself from the case. Jefferson County prosecuting attorney Trisha Stefanski has accepted an appointment as an independent special prosecuting attorney. The daycare's owner was also a sitting Park Hills city councilwoman, but she has since resigned. FOX 2 spoke with someone at Poppy's Playhouse on Friday. They said the owner will not comment until after the investigation is complete. The owner was interviewed as part of the Office of Childhood investigation (OOC). The OOC wrote in its letter that she said the facility's practice is for staff to cuddle children who are having a hard time falling asleep, but she does not know if staff put their legs over children regularly. She also said that Conrad had diarrhea that morning and had laid his head down at lunch, which was not like him. Ultimately, the OOC said Poppy's Playhouse 2 had five violations and that its actions 'demonstrate a threat of imminent bodily harm to the children in care.' The case has drawn attention nationwide. Love's T-shirt fundraiser is spreading with an emphasis on Autism Awareness. 'I've gotten them from New York. I've gotten them from Florida,' she said about orders coming in. Donate here: Help support St. Louis storm victims Across town, people lined up for hours to buy a special donut as part of another fundraiser. Hurt's Donuts was already planning a fundraiser for the local senior center. It added a special tribute donut specifically to raise money for Conrad's family. Seth Martin, a stranger to the family, came from 30 miles away for the funeral Friday. 'I believe that's what draws us together, the innocence of a child being taken away at such a young age,' he said. Conrad's life was cut too short, but his impact will last a lifetime. 'It means the absolute world to our family, and we couldn't be more thankful,' Love said. There is a silent auction taking place for Conrad's family this weekend. It will be at The Bullpen Sports Grill. Love will also be there taking T-shirt orders. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
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 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." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 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. Read the original article on People
