‘Horrific, callous, negligent’: 3-year-old nonverbal autistic boy dies at day care, family says

PARK HILLS, Mo. (KMOV/Gray News) – A 3-year-old nonverbal autistic child died at a Missouri day care on Friday, according to officials.

The death happened at Poppy’s Playhouse in Park Hills, Missouri, which is about 65 miles south of St. Louis.

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education confirmed to KMOV 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.”

Family identified the boy as 3-year-old Conrad David Wade Ashcraft. They say he was autistic and nonverbal.

His aunt Lacey Hardy said the family is devastated.

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

Hardy said that with multiple investigations from state and local officials underway, she could not share details about Conrad‘s death or what exactly happened. However, she described it 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.”

St. Francois County Coroner Jason Coplin told KMOV that an autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday to determine the cause of death.

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 Monday.

Missouri Secretary of State business records show the day care is owned by Spring Gray, who serves as Ward 2 City Councilwoman for the City of Park Hills.

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

The statement continued, “Because the day care 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.”

KMOV tried to reach the day care for comment, but the call was not immediately returned. An online notification says the business is temporarily closed.

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

“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.”

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