The Button Law Firm Speaks Out After Heartbreaking Daycare Death in Park Hills

Tragedy Strikes at Missouri Daycare

PARK HILLS, MO – According to an article by WSAZ3, a 3-year-old nonverbal child tragically died after being physically restrained during nap time at a daycare in Park Hills, Missouri. This deeply disturbing incident has devastated the child’s family and community and raised serious concerns about the safety practices at childcare facilities.

At The Button Law Firm, we work with families facing heartbreaking situations like this. We know how quickly a parent’s world can be turned upside down when a daycare fails to provide even the most basic level of care. While nothing can undo this loss, our team believes in standing beside families as they seek answers, accountability, and change.

The Heartbreaking Details

According to the article, an investigation by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) revealed that the child had only been attending the daycare, Poppy’s Playhouse 2, for a few weeks when the incident occurred on May 16.

During nap time, a staff member removed the child from the main room because he was crying and whining. She placed the child in a hallway, laid him on his back, and tightly tucked his arms under a blanket—effectively restraining him. When the child continued moving, she rolled him onto his stomach, placed an 18-pound weighted blanket over his body and part of his face, and then used her legs to hold him down.

The child was left in that position for hours, unchecked, unattended, and unresponsive. No staff member checked on him until his mother arrived to pick him up. By that time, he was cold, stiff, and showing clear signs of distress. A memorial now sits outside the facility in his honor.

Following the incident, DESE revoked the daycare’s license, and the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Office has launched a criminal investigation.

How The Button Law Firm Handles Cases of Daycare Abuse or Neglect

While we are not involved in this case, The Button Law Firm has handled many cases where daycares failed in their most basic duty: to keep children safe.

We uncover what went wrong, hold daycares accountable, and push for real change. Our team investigates:

• Whether caregivers were trained to work with children who are nonverbal or have special needs
• If dangerous restraint methods, like weighted blankets or physical force, were used
• How long were children left alone or unmonitored
• Whether staff followed safety protocols required by state law

We’ve seen firsthand how a lack of training, supervision, and empathy can lead to irreversible harm. When that happens, we take action—not just to help families find answers but to ensure that it doesn’t happen to another child.

Contact The Button Law Firm After a Daycare Injury or Death

If your child was hurt or lost their life at daycare, you don’t have to face this by yourself. We’re here to listen, support, and guide you every step of the way.

Reach out to The Button Law Firm by calling (214) 699-4409, emailing [email protected], or filling out our contact form. We’re ready to help your family take the next step toward healing and justice.