Unlicensed Sedalia daycare operator accused of infant death pleads guilty, sentenced to probation

SALINE COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)

An unlicensed daycare operator in Sedalia who was charged in connection with the death of a 5-month-old baby boy in 2022 was sentenced to probation.

Ashley Kratzer, 33, of Sedalia, pleaded guilty on Thursday to endangering the welfare of a child. She was sentenced to five years of supervised probation. Kratzer was initially charged with first-degree endangering the welfare of a child, first-degree involuntary manslaughter and operating an unlicensed daycare.

Earlier this month she had entered a guilty plea, but it was withdrawn. However, as per the request of all parties, they will look at the guilty plea again.

According to a probable cause statement, investigators suspected the baby had died from suffocation due to a blanket being left in the playpen while he slept.

Kratzer had allegedly told law enforcement she put the baby down for a nap and noticed a problem when she checked on him a few hours later. She said in court documents that the baby often took long naps. However, the parents say the baby usually took short naps, according to previous reporting.

An autopsy didn't show signs of abuse but a detective said the baby had the outline on his forehead of the blanket that was in the playpen, according to previous reporting.