Tara Williams is suing Poppy’s Playhouse, a daycare in Park Hills, Missouri, after her 3-year-old son, Conrad Ashcraft, who was nonverbal and autistic, died due to alleged negligence. According to a wrongful death lawsuit filed on May 19, Conrad suffered fatal injuries when a daycare employee forcibly applied weight to his chest to make him sleep. Williams claims that the daycare staff failed to recognize that her son was suffocating, leaving him lying on the ground “for hours.”
The incident occurred on May 16, and Williams is seeking over $25,000 in damages, including costs for Conrad’s funeral. St. Francois County Sheriff Jeffrey S. Crites stated that the investigation is ongoing, aiming to address all relevant details surrounding the boy’s death and to seek justice for the family. Lacey Hardy, Conrad’s aunt, described him as “the absolute sweetest and beautiful nonverbal autistic 3-year-old,” highlighting the love and connections he had as a son, brother, and grandson.
The daycare’s owner, Spring Gray, who previously worked for the county prosecutor’s office, resigned from her position as a city councilwoman following the incident to avoid any conflicts during the investigation. The St. Francois County Prosecutor’s Office is refraining from involvement to maintain the integrity of the investigation, instead appointing an independent special prosecutor.
The tragic event has raised public concern and highlighted issues of proper training for daycare staff and child safety. Family members expressed their heartbreak over the loss, emphasizing the condolences extended to them during this difficult time.
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