PARK HILLS, Mo. – Hundreds show their support for Conrad Ashcraft, the 3-year-old boy who died at daycare in Park Hills.
The daycare, Poppy’s Playhouse 2, has lost its license.
Missouri’s Office of Childhood wrote a letter to the facility, stating that Conrad was secluded in a hallway during naptime because he was whining and crying.
It says a provider at the center trapped his arms in a tucked blanket and laid her legs down over his legs. It says she covered him with an 18.2 lb. weighted blanket.
No one checked on Conrad for hours. He was found dead four hours later when his mom showed up to pick him up.
No charges have been filed at this point.
Hours before the funeral was set to take place on Friday, hundreds had shown up at the funeral home to show their support. Cars were painted with “Justice for Conrad.”
Blue balloons and banners hung around town to raise autism awareness in his honor.
“I know these streets will be lined, I’m sure, from here all the way to the gravesite. There’s going to be a tremendous amount of support,” Conrad’s cousin, Danielle Love, said.
Family friend Justin Williams also has a child with autism. They would play with Conrad frequently.
“That smile always lit up a room. He did what he wanted, and the world was his oyster,” he said.
The St. Francois County Sheriff’s Dept. Put out a statement on Friday saying it is “unwavering in their pursuit of truth and justice and is dedicated to ensuring a comprehensive and transparent investigation.”
An autopsy was conducted earlier this week, but no cause of death has been determined.
FOX 2 called the St. Francois County coroner on Friday but has not heard back.
In a new twist to the investigation, it was revealed that the daycare’s owner used to work for the St. Francois County Prosecutor’s Office.
As a result, it has recused itself from the case. Jefferson County prosecuting attorney Trisha Stefanski has accepted an appointment as an independent special prosecuting attorney.
The daycare’s owner was also a sitting Park Hills city councilwoman, but she has since resigned.
FOX 2 spoke with someone at Poppy’s Playhouse on Friday. They said the owner will not comment until after the investigation is complete.
The owner was interviewed as part of the Office of Childhood investigation (OOC).
The OOC wrote in its letter that she said the facility’s practice is for staff to cuddle children who are having a hard time falling asleep, but she does not know if staff put their legs over children regularly.
She also said that Conrad had diarrhea that morning and had laid his head down at lunch, which was not like him.
Ultimately, the OOC said Poppy’s Playhouse 2 had five violations and that its actions “demonstrate a threat of imminent bodily harm to the children in care.”
The case has drawn attention nationwide. Love’s T-shirt fundraiser is spreading with an emphasis on Autism Awareness.
“I’ve gotten them from New York. I’ve gotten them from Florida,” she said about orders coming in.
Across town, people lined up for hours to buy a special donut as part of another fundraiser.
Hurt’s Donuts was already planning a fundraiser for the local senior center. It added a special tribute donut specifically to raise money for Conrad’s family.
Seth Martin, a stranger to the family, came from 30 miles away for the funeral Friday.
“I believe that’s what draws us together, the innocence of a child being taken away at such a young age,” he said.
Conrad’s life was cut too short, but his impact will last a lifetime.
“It means the absolute world to our family, and we couldn’t be more thankful,” Love said.
There is a silent auction taking place for Conrad’s family this weekend. It will be at The Bullpen Sports Grill.
Love will also be there taking T-shirt orders.