Ohio Daycare Operator Sentenced to Life for Death of 5-Month-Old Boy

An Ohio daycare operator has been sentenced to life in prison after a jury found her guilty of murdering a 5-month-old boy who was in her care.

Tammra R. Straughter, 54, was sentenced Wednesday in Franklin County, Ohio, to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 15 years for the death of Kashan R. Crawford-Chatman. She was also convicted of child endangerment following a trial in August.

The case began on Oct. 9, 2023, when Kashan and his twin brother were dropped off at Straughter’s home in Reynoldsburg, where she operated a small in-home daycare.

The boys had been born prematurely and had spent several weeks in a neonatal intensive care unit before going home. Their mother, Stacia Crawford, had returned to work and trusted Straughter to care for the twins during the day.

But only hours after the children arrived, the situation suddenly changed.

A Baby Suddenly Stops Breathing

According to court records, Straughter told Kashan’s mother that the infant had become “fussy” during the day.

Straughter later said Kashan had choked or spit up while drinking formula. She told his mother that she had patted him on the back before leaving briefly to attend to another child.

When she returned, Straughter said the baby appeared to be having trouble breathing.

She reportedly attempted to clear his airway and provide assistance before emergency responders arrived.

Kashan was initially taken to a nearby hospital, but his condition was so serious that he was transferred to Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus.

Doctors quickly noticed injuries that went far beyond what would normally be expected from a baby simply choking or becoming ill.

Medical personnel reported bruising on Kashan’s body, along with two jaw fractures. His brain was swelling, and doctors determined that his injuries were consistent with severe physical abuse and shaken baby syndrome.

Kashan died less than a week later.

The Franklin County Coroner’s Office ruled his death a homicide, determining that he suffered a closed-head injury consistent with shaken baby syndrome.

Deleted Messages Became Key Evidence

As investigators worked to determine what had happened inside the daycare, attention turned to Straughter’s phone.

According to court records and reports, detectives discovered deleted text messages in which Straughter had complained about the twins being “fussy.”

The messages became an important part of the prosecution’s case, particularly because prosecutors argued that the infant’s condition had changed while he was under Straughter’s supervision.

Investigators also obtained video from inside the home. Prosecutors said the footage showed Kashan appearing fine earlier in the day before his condition deteriorated that afternoon.

At the time, Straughter was reportedly the only adult caring for Kashan, his twin brother and six other children.

The prosecution ultimately argued that Straughter violently shook the infant, causing the catastrophic injuries that led to his death.

Straughter was indicted and arrested in February 2024 on murder and child-endangerment charges.

A Jury Reaches Its Verdict

After hearing the evidence, a Franklin County jury found Straughter guilty in August 2026 of murder and child endangerment.

On Wednesday, Judge Bill Sperlazza handed down the sentence: life in prison, with the possibility of parole after she has served at least 15 years. She was also credited with 54 days of time already served.

During the sentencing hearing, Kashan’s parents addressed the court.

His father, Jontue Chatman, spoke about the trust the family had placed in Straughter to protect their children.

Kashan’s mother, Stacia Crawford, described the grief and anger she has carried since losing her son. But rather than allowing the woman convicted of killing him to dominate her thoughts, Crawford said she wanted to focus on her son and the life he should have had.

Kashan was only 5 months old.

His death transformed what had been a routine childcare arrangement into a criminal case that would eventually lead to a murder conviction and a life sentence.

For his family, the court’s decision cannot undo what happened. But after years of investigation and legal proceedings, the sentence marks the latest chapter in a case centered on one devastating question: what happened to a baby who was entrusted to someone else’s care?

Source: Law&Crime, Franklin County court records, WBNS and WHIO.