A Missouri family wants answers after a 3-year-old nonverbal autistic boy died at day care. Conrad Ashcraft’s family enrolled him at Poppy’s Place 2 in Park Hills in November 2024 because the facility appeared to have a good reputation. But seven months later, a loved one is alleging the owners had multiple complaints against them and used their political power to aid in covering their tracks. Conrad’s family is demanding justice.
Conrad’s death has devastated his parents, Tara Williams and Josh Ashcraft. Tara’s cousin, Danielle Love, tells CafeMom Conrad had a “smile so bright he lit up the room.” Because he was nonverbal, however, he could not tell his parents what was going on at Poppy’s Place 2 when they left him there.
“This all occurred over nap time,” Love says. “Conrad never took naps at day care before this.”
According to close family friend Justin Michael Williams, an employee allegedly attempted to quiet Conrad at nap time around 12:30 p.m. and lay on top of him. When his mother went to pick her son up at 4:15 p.m., he was dead. The family believes Conrad suffocated, but Love says Poppy’s Place 2 claims the little boy had a cardiac arrest.
Love says Tara Williams found her son unresponsive and ran to call 911.
“He laid there for hours, deceased before his mother arrived and found him under the weighted blanket. When she arrived and found him, he was cold and blue and stiff,” she says. “She ran out to get her phone, and when she came back in, the owner was performing CPR, claiming it was protocol, rigor mortis had already set in by that time, though.”
Emergency responders pronounced Conrad dead at the scene. An autopsy is pending.
Justin Williams tells CafeMom that Poppy’s Place 2 owner Spring Gray serves as an alderwoman in Park Hills. He claims that she uses her position in the community to strengthen her reputation.
“Ok, so there is a good public reputation, because they are good at getting negative reviews taken down, but even that hadn’t been enough to keep their reputation perfect over time. Again, Spring has power, but she can escape all of the reviews and complaints to the state,” he tells us. “But many of the stories I was told weren’t cited, and many of the cases were pushed to the side. I strongly believe that they are giving her power in all of this.”
In addition to the Park Hills location, Gray also owns and operates Poppy’s Place in nearby Desloge. The Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education website lists multiple violation reports in the last few years for both the Park Hills and Desloge day care centers. Both locations have valid group home licenses.
Loved ones gathered at Poppy’s Place 2 on May 18 for a peaceful candlelight vigil in Conrad’s honor. Justin Williams shared a message to supporters on the Justice For Conrad Facebook page.
“For those who said they closed for the children’s and staff’s safety. I know that people are upset, angry, and beyond. DO NOT AND I REPEAT DO NOT DO ANYTHING HOSTILE OR VIOLENT. Let the authorities act and do their job,” he wrote. “None of this is to incite violence of any kind and no one in Conrad’s corner encourages nor condones it.”
Love says she wants justice for her cousin and all children who can’t tell their stories. “If you see abuse, report it,” she tells us. “Do not wait. Save our children.”
Poppy’s Place 2 did not return CafeMom’s request for comment.
The City of Park Hills released a statement May 19 on Facebook regarding Conrad’s death on May 10. It reads:
“The City of Park Hills is heartbroken by the tragic loss of a child’s life on Friday, May 16, 2025, at a local daycare.
Our thoughts are with the family during this unimaginable time, and we extend our deepest condolences to all those affected.
Because the daycare 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. This ensures the investigation is conducted independently and without influence.
We understand the community’s grief and concern. The city has full confidence in the independent investigation and believes that accountability is essential, regardless of the circumstances.“
