No charges filed yet in Conrad Ashcraft death investigation

Over two weeks have passed since the tragic death of three-year-old Conrad Ashcraft at the Park Hills daycare, Poppy’s Playhouse, but despite growing public pressure and two wrongful death lawsuits, no criminal charges have been filed as of June 1.

As June begins, the Park Hills community is still waiting for prosecutorial decisions and systemic changes that could prevent another tragedy.

Captain Mike Ryan with the SFCSD confirmed that this remains an open investigation, which they will continue to pursue. Criminal charges have not been filed at this time. Complete autopsy reports have not been filed with investigators. If, at the discretion of the Jefferson County Prosecutor’s Office, it is determined that criminal charges should be made in connection with the case, that action will come from Prosecuting Attorney Trisha Stefanski’s office.

In the meantime, a self-described non-profit child violence advocacy group called the Uvalde Foundation for Kids (UFK) has inserted itself into the situation. National founder Daniel Chapin publicly posted to various social media outlets the first version of “Conrad’s Law” on May 28. They also launched a “Support Conrad’s Law for Safer Missouri Daycares” petition on Change.org, which had nearly 7,000 verified signatures as of June 1.

On May 29, Chapin announced that UFK is now officially listed with the Missouri Ethics Commission as a registered lobbyist and stated that he has appointments with unnamed Missouri state representatives scheduled for this first week of June. Missouri State Representative Cecelie Williams pledged to sponsor the bill. She said the bill is still in its early stages and will be formally drafted in October and pre-filed for consideration. “Ultimately, this can never happen again,” she said.

The bill will be filed officially in January 2026 at the beginning of the next legislative session. Even with initial support from a bill sponsor, there is no guarantee that the proposal will become a law; legislators can attest to hundreds of bills that are short-lived during any given legislative session. Williams is not the only presenter of the bill, and Chapin said UFK is looking for other legislators to join her as sponsors.

Some community members feel things are taking too long and are fearful Conrad’s death will “be swept under the rug.” They have suggested protests outside courthouses and homes of defendants named in the wrongful death suits, or dispensing vigilante-style justice. Conrad’s family continues to call for peace, not protest, adamant that due process must be followed.

“We don’t want violence,” said a family representative. “We want justice. We want change. But we want it done the right way.”
They have asked those who want to support the cause to spread awareness of it by sharing the #JusticeForConrad slogan, displaying blue balloons, using a blue porch light, praying for those directly impacted by Conrad’s loss, and asking their elected officials to support the bill and see it become realized as Conrad’s Law.

#JusticeForConrad campaign launched

The day after his passing, at Poppy’s 2 on Mitchell Street, balloons and tribute items were placed outside the daycare as a memorial to the little boy. The #JusticeForConrad community support campaign launched quietly and has gained viral momentum, spreading globally within 48 hours due to social media platforms.

On May 18, a candlelight vigil was held in the parking lot. The memorial has grown exponentially in size and continues to receive additional balloons, posters, and gifts daily in Conrad’s memory. A local pastor prayed over the several hundred who had assembled that evening to share their memories and offer their support to a numb, grieving family. Strangers also attended, the tragedy sparking compassionate sympathy as is often seen in small-town America; they gathered to show unified support for Conrad’s family and to express their sympathy for a child lost to a death that defies logic.

A spokesperson for the family said she didn’t have the right words to express the pain the family was experiencing. Conrad was a non-verbal child with autism, making his death all the more poignant. Another speaker asked that his death not be in vain, and he hoped it would catalyze compassionate autism awareness.

A variety of fundraisers have been held and continue to be held. Those wishing to contribute financially may donate at any branch of the First State Community Bank to the “Conrad Ashcraft Benefit Account.” Contributions may be made anonymously if the donor chooses to keep their identity secret.

Many Parkland area residents are seeing the #JusticeForConrad slogan colorfully painted on vehicles and trailers. This work is being done by family friend Crystal McWilliams and her team at no cost as her way to spread awareness. Anyone wishing to have their vehicle turned into a rolling advertisement can usually find a team working in the parking lot next to Leadington’s Bullpen or Smoke ‘til Valhalla. When the team estimated they had painted on about 200 vehicles, they stopped counting.

Formal legal actions have begun

On May 18, DESE’s OOC said it had received a complaint allegation that “on May 16, 2025, Child A (3 years old) did not want to take a nap and group home provider Tiffany Hedrick placed her legs on Child A’s back as she put him to sleep and suffocated him. Staff members did not check on Child A for four to five hours. Child A was found deceased at pick up by Parent A (parent of Child A).” DESE’s OOC began an immediate investigation into the claim.

On May 19, Tara Williams, Conrad’s mother, filed a wrongful death suit at the St. Francois County Courthouse against Poppy’s Playhouse, LLC. The petition alleges that the defendant caused a fatal injury through negligence in that the defendant used lower extremities, applied weight and pressure to the victim’s chest and/or abdomen, while he was lying down, to subdue him “to force him to sleep.” There is another allegation that the Defendant failed to properly train and supervise employees to ensure safe interaction between staff and children. Another claim alleges that the Defendant knew and approved of the technique of “using human extremities and/or other devices to apply weight and pressure to a child’s body” to subdue a child into sleep when it was known or could have been known that it would cause suffocation and fatal injury.

Judge Wendy Wexler Horn was initially assigned to preside over the suit, but she recused herself on May 21. The case was transferred to Presiding Judge Brice Sechrest for reassignment.

On May 20, Park Hills Mayor Stacey Easter made a public statement via Facebook that she had accepted the immediate resignation of Councilwoman Spring Gray.

According to the May 20 information release issued by St. Francois County Prosecuting Attorney Blake Dudley, because the daycare owner, Spring Gray, had been employed by the St. Francois County Prosecutor’s Office under three prior administrations, they “took the position that the current St. Francois County Prosecutor’s Office would take no role in the investigation being conducted by the Sheriff’s Department.”

The release further stated that any involvement by the Prosecutor’s Office would be improper and could jeopardize the integrity of the investigation and the “pursuit of justice for this child and his family. On Monday, May 19, at our request, Trisha Stefanski, the Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney, agreed to accept judicial appointment as an independent Special Prosecuting Attorney for purposes of rendering assistance, reviewing reports, and the prosecution of any appropriate charges.”

In a public announcement on May 23, Sheriff Crites emphasized the close collaboration between the SFCSD and the JCPAO, stating, “This partnership underscores the commitment of all agencies involved to thoroughly examine all aspects of the case with transparency, fairness, and integrity. During this extremely difficult time our hearts go out to the family and loved ones affected by this tragic event. The members of the SFCSD are unwavering in their pursuit of truth, and justice, and is dedicated to assuring a comprehensive and transparent investigation to determine the circumstance surrounding this tragedy. We want to assure the public that every available resource is being utilized to bring clarity to this investigation.”

DESE begins investigation and suspends license

On May 20, a representative from DESE’s OOC hand-delivered the notification of immediate suspension of the child care license at Poppy’s Playhouse 2; another copy was sent via certified mail. The notification was made public following the confirmed delivery of the licensure suspension. The five-page document included facts regarding the suspension, based on interviews conducted by a compliance inspection staff or by reviewing video interviews conducted by law enforcement.

The notice stated, “This letter is to notify Poppy’s Playhouse, LLC, d/b/a Poppy’s Playhouse 2, that DESE, OOC is immediately suspending its child care license. DESE, OOC is suspending Poppy’s Playhouse, LLC, d/b/a Poppy’s Playhouse 2,’s license because on May 16, 2025, group home provider Tiffany Hedrick secluded Child A (3 years old) to the hallway during naptime because he was crying and whining. Hedrick laid Child A on his stomach and trapped his arms into his tucked blanket, as well as covered Child A with an additional 18.2-pound weighted blanket. Hedrick held Child A down and then never checked on Child A again after she believed he fell asleep. None of the staff at Poppy’s Playhouse 2 checked on Child A until Parent A arrived approximately 4 hours later and found Child A deceased. These actions demonstrate a threat of imminent bodily harm to the children in care and that Poppy’s Playhouse, LLC, d/b/a Poppy’s Playhouse 2, is unwilling or unable to provide a safe environment for children.”

The notice, which is public information available upon request from DESE, provided Gray with a 10-day appeals window, after which the suspension would become a revocation. The window closed on May 30. The Daily Journal contacted the DESE OOC on May 30 and was told that no appeal had been made.

Conrad’s last ride

Demonstrations of support and sympathy were abundant on May 23. Following Conrad’s funeral services at Coplin’s in Park Hills, an escort of more than 290 riders and 95 additional vehicles joined the procession with family and friends for the sad task of laying the child to rest. Along the funeral route from Park Hills through Farmington and to the cemetery, pinwheels and balloons had been placed at businesses and the shoulder of the roadways in Conrad’s honor. Countless people paid their respects to the memory of the child and showed support for his family as they stood along the roadways while the procession rolled by.

Not all Poppy’s locations have had licensure revoked

Tensions escalated the next week when summer school sessions began, and after 3 p.m., a Central District school bus stopped in front of the Mitchell Street daycare location. Children were observed exiting the bus in the rain and being escorted into the “big kid building” by an adult female with an umbrella, who an eyewitness identified as Spring Gray. Gray’s vehicle, bearing a temporary license, was parked next to the building.

Angry citizens demanded an explanation for how Poppy’s could be opened when the state had suspended their license. They were displeased to learn that while what they saw seemed “just plain stupid wrong,” as one eyewitness said, it was completely legal–by a technicality. According to information obtained from the Missouri Secretary of State’s website, Poppy’s Playhouse, LLC, was formed in April 2020 and is the corporate name under which several facilities operate. The registered agent and LLC member for the company is Spring Gray.

According to registration information from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)’s Office of Childhood, there are three separate locations operated under the Poppy’s Playhouse, LLC, brand:

Poppy’s Playhouse 2, 6 Mitchell St., Park Hills, is identified as Facility 002947646 and is owned by Poppy’s Playhouse, LLC. It was licensed with a capacity of 20 children, ages birth to 12 years. This is referred to as the “little kid or pre-school, birth to age four building” by parents of enrolled children. It is this location where Conrad was found deceased by his mother on May 16. It is this location that has the suspended license.

Poppy’s Playhouse Etc!, 4 Mitchell St., Park Hills, is identified as Facility DVN 002947655 and is owned by Poppy’s Playhouse, LLC. It is licensed with a capacity of 20 children aged birth to 12 years, and has a limitation of four children under 24 months of age. This is referred to as the “big kid building” by parents of enrolled children, and it is the building where the children were escorted from the school bus.

The third location, Poppy’s Playhouse, LLC, 312 N. State St., Desloge, is identified as Facility DVN 002831609 and is owned by Poppy’s Playhouse, LLC. It is licensed with a capacity of 20 children aged birth to 12 years, and has a limitation of four children under 24 months of age.

A second wrongful death suit is filed

On May 27, Conrad’s father, Joshua Ashcraft, filed a separate wrongful death suit in St. Francois County Court naming Tiffany Hedrick, Spring Gray, and Poppy’s Playhouse LLC. Judge Brice Sechrest has been assigned to preside over that case.

The Daily Journal has made multiple attempts to contact Gray for comment and has received no response.

Lisa Brotherton-Barnes is a Daily Journal and Farmington Press staff writer. She can be reached at lbarnes@dailyjournalonline.com.