Unlicensed daycare operator charged with manslaughter in infant’s death
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
An unlicensed Sedalia daycare operator was charged last week with manslaughter and other crimes in connection with the December death of a 5-month-old boy.
Ashley N. Kratzer, 32, was charged with child endangerment, first-degree manslaughter and operating an unlicensed daycare. Investigators suspect the baby died from suffocation because a blanket was left in a playpen with him while he slept, according to a probable cause statement.
Kratzer told investigators that she put the baby down for his nap and noticed a problem when she checked on him a couple of hours later. She said the baby often slept for a few hours at a time, even though its parents told investigators that the child takes shorter naps, according to the statement.
Kratzer allegedly told investigators that she had not kept up her CPR training with regular recertification. Emergency responders found her standing over the baby saying "I don't know what to do" when they arrived at the house, according to the probable cause statement.
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.
Kratzer was caring for about a dozen children, investigators say. Daycare providers must be licensed if more than six children are cared for.
Kratzer was arrested and posted a $10,000 bond Thursday, according to online court records. An arraignment is scheduled for Aug. 30. She did not have a lawyer listed in online court records.
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, which oversees childcare licensing, investigated Kratzer after the baby's death, a spokeswoman said. Investigators ordered her to reduce the number of children she cared for or obtain a license.
