'I actually still have goosebumps': Family of 3-year-old who died at daycare reacts to charges
PARK HILLS, Mo. – "I actually still have goosebumps," was the reaction of Danielle Love when she learned that an employee at a Park Hills daycare was charged for the death of her 3-year-old cousin, Conrad Ashcraft.
On Thursday, it was announced that a St. Francois County grand jury charged Tiffany R. Hedrick with second-degree murder, abuse or neglect of a child resulting in death and armed criminal action.
On May 16, Ashcraft died at Poppy’s Playhouse 2 in Park Hills. The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education said that Conrad died after a caregiver held him down at nap time and laid him under an 18-pound weighted blanket.
Since his death, Ashcraft's family, the community and activists have called for justice, with even one nonprofit drafting legislation in his name. Now, nearly three months after his passing, a suspect is now in custody.
"Every time that I hear that (Hedrick) got arrested, I'm over the moon about it," Love told FOX 2. "I know the family—we're pleased about it to see that charges have finally been brought."
Although charges have been brought forward, Love says she and her family have a long road ahead when it comes to processing what justice looks like for Conrad. Love told FOX 2 she hopes to see more charges and arrests made.
"It's bad and very tragic. And this does help quite a bit, knowing that this little boy is going to get justice one way or another. We won't stop until he does," Love said.
Lacie Hardie, Conrad's aunt, sent a statement to FOX 2 on behalf of the Ashcraft family, which reads in part:
"We are very relieved and thankful that she was finally arrested. I'm not sure what else to say. There's a lot of emotions running through my mind. Definitely happy," Hardie wrote.
Hedrick remains held without bond at the St. Francois County Jail.
