Daycare Director Charged with Murder of Toddler, 3, in Missouri

BREAKING: A daycare director has been charged with the murder of a three-year-old boy in her care, resulting in a shocking indictment by a grand jury. Tiffany Hedrick, age 40, from Park Hills, Missouri, allegedly killed Conrad Ashcraft, a nonverbal boy with autism, by suffocating him with a weighted blanket during a nap on May 16, 2023.

The Jefferson County Prosecutor’s Office has confirmed the indictment includes charges of second-degree murder, abuse or neglect of a child resulting in death, and armed criminal action. According to the indictment, Conrad died from asphyxiation after Hedrick placed him face down and trapped his arms under a blanket, which weighed approximately 18.2 lbs.. The weighted blanket, intended to calm children during naptime, was not owned by Conrad’s family and was allegedly used by staff to subdue children.

Witnesses report that Hedrick left Conrad unattended for hours following the incident. She allegedly isolated him from other children and further restrained him by placing her legs over him. The indictment states that after Conrad ceased to struggle, Hedrick failed to check on him until leaving the daycare at 2 PM.

On May 27, Conrad’s father, Joshua Ashcraft, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Hedrick for $25,000, as well as against Poppy’s Playhouse owner and former city councilwoman Spring Gray. Conrad’s mother, Tara Williams, has also filed a lawsuit against the daycare, alleging negligence and failure to train staff properly.

Family and friends remember Conrad in his obituary as a joyful child who loved swimming, watching Toy Story, and spending time with his family. His aunt, Lacey Hardie, emphasized the tragedy of losing a child who brought so much happiness to those around him.

Hedrick is currently being held in the St. Francois County jail without bond. This case raises serious concerns about the safety and supervision of children in daycare settings, igniting outrage among parents and advocates for children’s rights.

As this story develops, community members are calling for immediate reforms in childcare practices to prevent such tragedies from happening again. Families are urged to stay informed as new details emerge regarding this heartbreaking incident.

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