A Community Still Searching for Answers: Tragedy at a Park Hills Daycare

A Community Still Searching for Answers: Tragedy at a Park Hills Daycare

PARK HILLS, MO — Six weeks after the tragic death of a three-year-old boy at a local daycare, a quiet grief still hangs over the community. Pieces of a small memorial — faded flowers, stuffed animals, hand-painted signs — sit outside the now-shuttered building of Poppy’s Playhouse 2, a daycare center once trusted by dozens of families in Park Hills. The boy, Conrad David Wade Ashcraft, was just three years old and nonverbal, with autism. He died while in the care of the daycare staff on May 16, 2025. And although weeks have passed, the questions remain unanswered.

The community, the family, and now the broader public are demanding accountability — not just for what happened that day, but for what could have prevented it.

A Daycare Trusted by Many — and Now at the Center of Scrutiny
Poppy’s Playhouse 2 was not just any daycare. It was co-owned and operated by Spring Gray, a then-sitting Park Hills city councilwoman. For many, that connection to public service was a source of comfort — a sense that the facility must have met the highest standards. That sense has since turned to betrayal for many residents, as details of Conrad’s final hours began to surface.

According to a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Conrad’s family, the child was restrained during nap time — a practice which the family alleges was common at the daycare, especially for children who didn’t fall asleep easily. Staff allegedly placed their legs across his torso, possibly compressing his chest or abdomen. At some point, Conrad became unresponsive. He was reportedly left unattended for several hours before anyone noticed he was no longer breathing.

The details are heartbreaking. Conrad, a nonverbal child with special needs, may have died silently — out of sight and out of mind.

A Mother’s Anguish, and a Family’s Fight for Justice
In the weeks following his death, Conrad’s mother, Brittani Ashcraft, has become a quiet but steady voice calling for justice. Through her attorneys, she has described the daycare’s care as negligent at best, abusive at worst. The lawsuit states the facility lacked proper training to handle children with autism and that there were no protocols in place for how to safely calm or supervise children during nap time.

“They left him alone for hours,” Brittani said in a public statement. “No one checked. No one cared.”

She also emphasized that Conrad was a joyful, curious boy who loved music and animals — a child who deserved to be protected, not harmed.

Government Response and Growing Outrage
Within days of Conrad’s death, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Childhood suspended the daycare’s operating license. That suspension remains in effect as of early July. The daycare has not reopened.

Meanwhile, the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Department launched a formal investigation. Due to Spring Gray’s role as a city councilwoman and her connections to local officials, a special prosecutor — Trisha Stefanski from Jefferson County — was appointed to oversee the case to ensure impartiality.

An autopsy was conducted, though results have not yet been released publicly. The lack of immediate clarity surrounding the cause of death has only deepened the community’s sense of unease.

To many residents, this is more than a tragedy — it’s a breach of trust. That such an incident could happen under the watch of a publicly known figure has left many parents anxious and angry. Local advocacy groups have already begun pushing for stricter regulations and oversight for all Missouri childcare providers, especially those caring for children with developmental differences.

Pieces of a Memorial — and a Growing Movement
Outside the shuttered daycare, a makeshift memorial quietly marks the spot where trust was broken. Local residents, many of whom never knew Conrad personally, stop by to leave toys, candles, and handwritten messages.

One sign reads, “He mattered.” Another: “Justice for Conrad.”

Community vigils have been held. A local pastor offered a prayer for “healing, truth, and accountability.” State lawmakers have reportedly begun drafting what could become “Conrad’s Law,” aimed at improving training for daycare staff, increasing penalties for negligence, and mandating more rigorous inspections.

Still No Charges — But Pressure Mounts
As of July 4, no criminal charges have been filed in the case. The special prosecutor has said the investigation remains active and that the delay is due to the complexity of the case — and the importance of getting it right.

That explanation has not satisfied everyone. Local residents and activists have demanded more transparency and faster action. Social media pages dedicated to Conrad’s memory have gained traction, and a petition urging prosecution has gathered thousands of signatures.

A Lasting Impact
The story of Conrad Ashcraft is now part of Park Hills’ history — one that no parent or community ever wants to repeat. His death has triggered a reckoning over how we protect our most vulnerable children and how quickly we act when that protection fails.

Conrad’s story, though short, has become a catalyst. A memorial still stands where answers remain elusive. But the community’s message is clear: they will not forget, and they will not stop asking questions until justice is served.