State and local authorities investigating death of toddler at Park Hills daycare; state pulls facility’s license

PARK HILLS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - State and local investigations are underway after a 3-year-old child died on Friday at a daycare facility in Park Hills. Tuesday, state authorities announced the daycare was losing its license.

Family on Monday identified the victim as Conrad David Wade Ashcraft. On behalf of the family, his aunt Lacey Hardy told First Alert 4 that Conrad was a sweet and beautiful child and his loved ones were devastated.

“He was the absolute sweetest and beautiful non-verbal autistic 3-year old,” Hardy said. “He was a son, brother, grandson, nephew and cousin to several people who loved him so very much.”

Hardy said that with multiple investigations underway, she could not share details related to the death, which she described as “a horrific, callous, negligent, and senseless act that never should have happened.”

“This purposeful depravity, that caused the death of an innocent 3-year-old, has created so much unbearable heartache, devastation, and crushing pain for our families,” Hardy said. “No family should ever have to endure this type of pain.”

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) told First Alert 4 that its Office of Childhood, which oversees childcare facility compliance in the state, is investigating the death.

“DESE’s Office of Childhood is investigating the tragic death of a child that occurred Friday, May 16 at Poppy’s Playhouse in Park Hills, Missouri,” the department said. “Additional details will not be available until our investigation is complete.”

Missouri Secretary of State business records show the daycare is owned by Spring Gray, who had. until recently, served as Ward 2 City Councilwoman for the City of Park Hills. Tuesday night, Park Hills Mayor Stacey Easter said Gray has resigned from the council, effective immediately.

Tuesday, DESE sent a letter to Gray saying it had pulled the facility’s daycare license, saying:

“On May 20, 2025, DESE notified Poppy’s Playhouse, LLC (d/b/a Poppy’s Playhouse 2) that DESE’s Office of Childhood was immediately suspending its license to operate its child care facility at 6 Mitchell Street in Park Hills after the tragic death of a 3-year-old child on May 16, 2025. That immediate suspension letter is attached. Poppy’s Playhouse, LLC (d/b/a Poppy’s Playhouse 2) has 10 days to appeal the immediate suspension. If an appeal is made, DESE has 10 days to hold a hearing.”

The letter sent to Gray is below:

A call to the facility seeking comment was not immediately returned. An online notification shows the business is temporarily closed.

St. Francois County Coroner Jason Coplin told First Alert 4 that an autopsy was scheduled for Tuesday to ascertain the case of death of the child, who has not been identified by official sources.

Park Hills Police have asked the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Office to conduct the investigation because the facility is owned by a member of the Park Hills City Council, the city said in a statement on Monday.

“The City of Park Hills is heartbroken by the tragic loss of a child’s life on Friday, May 16, 2025, at a local daycare,” the statement reads. “Our thoughts are with the family during this unimaginable time, and we extend our deepest condolences to all those affected.”

“Because the daycare is owned by a member of the Park Hills City Council, the city immediately referred the matter to the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Department.”

The city said the move will ensure the investigation is conducted “independently and without influence.”

St. Francois County Sheriff Jeff Crites said in a statement Monday that detectives have been assigned to the case and are working to uncover the facts.

Crites is asking anyone with information to the agency.

“The St. Francois County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to conducting a thorough and complete investigation, with the goal of providing answers to the child’s family and community,” Crites said. “At this time the investigation remains active and further details will be released as they become available.”

As the criminal and civil investigation by the state are underway, the family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Poppy’s Playhouse 2.

According to the lawsuit, staff used their legs to apply pressure to the victim’s chest or abdomen while he was lying down in an attempt to force him to sleep.

The lawsuit alleges staff failed to the child was or had suffocated and left him there for hours before he was checked on.

The lawsuit is below:

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