Jefferson County vigil held for Conrad Ashcraft
Submitted photo of the candlelight vigil for Conrad on June 7 in Hillsboro.
A crowd gathered in front of the Jefferson County Courthouse for a second candlelight vigil in memory of three-year-old Conrad Ashcraft. The June 7 event, hosted by members of the Ashcraft family, served as a memorial vigil and a springboard for greater autism awareness. They requested support through prayers and signatures for a petition currently on Change.org, which contains information and a draft document for a proposed piece of legislation called “Conrad’s Law: Protecting Children in Daycare Settings.”
The family expressed their appreciation to State Senator Mary Coleman and State Representative Cecelie Williams for their early interest in legislation they hope will one day be one or more laws that provide more stringent regulations regarding staff training and increased safety standards in Missouri daycares. A draft of “Conrad’s Law” mandates the use of video and audio surveillance in licensed daycares and calls for a higher level of staff training in caring for neurodivergent and special needs children. The journey from the initial draft of a bill to its transformation into a law is a lengthy process that involves numerous stakeholders and document revisions along the way. However, not every bill becomes a law. Document filing during the legislative session begins in December.
The first vigil was held at the parking lot of Poppy’s Playhouse 2 on Mitchell Street in Park Hills. A large memorial had grown outside the daycare, increasing in size as the days passed, amassing a vast collection of balloons, handmade “JusticeForConrad” posters, stuffed animals, and other tribute items. This past week, the memorial was removed from the property by a family member of Conrad’s.
Poppy’s Playhouse 2 license status
Photo courtesy of Lacey Ashcraft-Hardie.
In an email to the Daily Journal, the Chief Communications Officer at DESE clarified the status of the license by stating, “Child care licenses are granted to facilities, not individuals/personnel working at those facilities. The immediate license suspension only pertains/applies to Poppy’s Playhouse 2, the facility at 6 Mitchell Street in Park Hills. Child care services cannot currently be provided at the Poppy’s Playhouse 2 location, but the facility can be used for other purposes (i.e., training). Poppy’s Playhouse, LLC, appealed the immediate suspension of the license on May 29. Therefore, DESE has set a hearing on the appeal of the immediate suspension for June 9.”
The Daily Journal contacted DESE via email on June 10 regarding the determination of the appeal hearing. The reply from the CCO stated, “The hearing was continued to June 25. Poppy’s Playhouse 2 remains closed due to the immediate suspension of its license.”
This is a developing story. The Daily Journal will update as information becomes available.
Lisa Brotherton-Barnes is a Daily Journal and Farmington Press staff writer. She can be reached at lbarnes@dailyjournalonline.com.
