23-05-2025
3-year-old died after day care worker applied weight on boy's chest, lawsuit says
3-year-old died after day care worker applied weight on boy's chest, lawsuit says 'He was the absolute sweetest and beautiful nonverbal autistic 3-year-old,' Lacey Hardy, the deceased boy's aunt, told a local TV station.
Show Caption
Hide Caption
Guilty plea in Bronx daycare fentanyl poisoning
The husband of the owner of a Bronx day care center where a 1-year-old boy died of fentanyl exposure has pleaded guilty to federal charges.
Fox - 5 NY
The mother of a deceased 3-year-old boy is suing a Missouri day care after the employees allegedly left her suffocated son lying on the ground of the facility "for hours," according to the wrongful death lawsuit.
The petition for wrongful death, which USA TODAY obtained and reviewed, was filed May 19 in St. Francois County Circuit Court by Tara Williams, the mother of Conrad Ashcraft. Williams alleges negligence from Poppy's Playhouse, a day care in Park Hills, and its employees after Conrad suffered a fatal injury at the facility on May 16.
Williams' lawsuit alleges the injury is a direct result of a day care employee applying weight and pressure to Conrad's chest "in an effort to force him to sleep." The mother accuses Poppy's Playhouse of not properly training its employees and failing to recognize that her son was suffocating or had suffocated.
In addition to paying for Conrad's funeral or memorial, Williams is requesting other monetary damages and a judgment of over $25,000.
'Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones'
St. Francois County Sheriff Jeffrey S. Crites said in a news release on May 23 that his office is continuing its investigation into Conrad's death, and that detectives are working to "uncover all relevant details surrounding the case to ensure justice is served."
"During this extremely difficult time our hearts go out to the family and loved ones affected by this tragic event," Crites said.
Family members who spoke with KMOV said Conrad was autistic and nonverbal.
'He was the absolute sweetest and beautiful nonverbal autistic 3-year-old,' Lacey Hardy, Conrad's aunt, told the St. Louis, Missouri-based TV station. 'He was a son, brother, grandson, nephew and cousin to several people who loved him so very much.'
Poppy's Playhouse owner previously worked for county prosecutor's office
The St. Francois County Prosecuting Attorney's Office said in a news release on May 23 that it previously employed the owner of Poppy's Playhouse. Due to this, the prosecutor's office decided to "take no role in the investigation" being conducted by the St. Francois County Sheriff's Office.
Missouri Secretary of State business records show the day care is owned by Spring Gray, who resigned on May 20 after serving as Ward 2 City Councilwoman for the City of Park Hills.
"Her decision follows recent developments involving her privately owned business," the city said in a Facebook post on May 21. "While the City is not involved in the investigation, we recognize the public concern and value transparency in this process. Her resignation helps ensure the investigation proceeds without conflict."
St. Francois County officials said they worked with the Jefferson County Prosecutor Trisha Stefanski to appoint an independent special prosecuting attorney to prosecute the case.
"Any involvement by the Prosecutor's Office would appear improper and could jeopardize the integrity of the investigation and pursuit of justice for this child and his family," the St. Francois County Prosecutor's Office said.
USA TODAY contacted Spring Gray on May 23 but has not received a response.
