A heartbreaking tragedy struck Park Hills, Missouri, this past Friday when a 3-year-old nonverbal autistic child died at Poppy’s Playhouse day care. If you live in the area or have loved ones with young children, this is an important and urgent update for your community’s safety and awareness.
What Happened at Poppy’s Playhouse?
On May 16, 2025, Conrad David Wade Ashcraft, a beloved 3-year-old boy diagnosed as nonverbal autistic, died while at Poppy’s Playhouse, located about 65 miles south of St. Louis. According to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), the child care oversight office is actively investigating the incident.
DESE confirmed to local news outlet KMOV that their Office of Childhood, responsible for monitoring childcare facilities statewide, is looking into the tragic death. They stated:
Family Speaks Out on the Devastating Loss
Conrad’s aunt, Lacey Hardy, described him as “the absolute sweetest and beautiful nonverbal autistic 3-year-old,” highlighting the deep love his family held for him. Hardy called the incident “a horrific, callous, negligent, and senseless act that never should have happened.”
She further shared:
“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.”
Official Investigations and Local Response
The St. Francois County Coroner, Jason Coplin, told KMOV that an autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday to determine the official cause of death. Because the day care is owned by Spring Gray, a Park Hills City Councilwoman, the Park Hills police referred the investigation to the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Office to avoid any conflict of interest.
Sheriff Jeff Crites stated:
“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.”
What This Means for Parents and Caregivers
This tragic incident serves as a reminder for parents and caregivers in Missouri and beyond to remain vigilant about the safety and oversight of childcare facilities. With state agencies actively investigating, families can expect updates and potential changes to local childcare regulations to prevent future tragedies.
Stay informed and follow us for more local updates on this story and other community safety news. You can also explore our coverage of Missouri childcare safety regulations and resources for families with special needs children.
This article was written by John Deluca. AI was used lightly for grammar and formatting, but the ideas, words, and edits are all mine.
