PARK HILLS, Mo. — Heartbreak and outrage are gripping the community of Park Hills after a St. Francois County grand jury indicted Tiffany Hedrick, a former daycare worker, in connection with the death of 3-year-old Conrad Ashcraft.
The Indictment
The indictment, handed down this week, charges Hedrick with:
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Second-degree murder
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Child abuse resulting in death
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Armed criminal action
These charges highlight the severity of the case and the devastating loss Conrad’s family continues to endure.
What Happened
Conrad, a nonverbal child diagnosed with autism, died in May while in the care of Poppy’s Playhouse, the daycare facility where Hedrick worked. Investigators say the boy was found unresponsive beneath an 18-pound weighted blanket that Hedrick had allegedly forced him to use during naptime.
Authorities determined Conrad suffocated under the blanket — a tragedy his mother insists was both preventable and negligent.
The Family’s Fight for Justice
For Conrad’s mother, the indictment represents a step toward accountability, though it cannot fill the void left by her son’s absence. She has also filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Poppy’s Playhouse, accusing the daycare of gross negligence and unsafe practices that endangered children’s lives.
The lawsuit has intensified calls for stronger childcare safety regulations, particularly regarding the use of weighted blankets, which can pose serious risks for toddlers and children with special needs.
Legal Proceedings
Hedrick has pleaded not guilty to all charges and remains held without bond at the St. Francois County Jail. Her attorneys have not released a detailed statement. The case is expected to draw national attention as child welfare advocates push for accountability and reform.
Community Reaction
For Park Hills residents, Conrad’s death has become a painful rallying point — sparking demands for stricter daycare oversight and a deeper conversation about the trust parents place in caregivers.
Friends and family describe Conrad as a joyful, curious, and loving child whose presence brightened every room. His memory now fuels their determination to seek justice and ensure no other family suffers a similar tragedy.
What’s Next
The coming months will be critical in shaping Hedrick’s legal fate. But for Conrad’s family, the weight of his absence will last a lifetime.
This story is developing.
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