Niamh Shackleton
Relatives of the Ordone family issued an update on how the parents are doing following a devastating car crash that claimed the life of their son.
Last week, Katelynn and Jaelan Ordone were driving with their two-year-old son Preston in the backseat when their car veered off the road and hit a tree.
Preston, best known as viral TikTok star 'Okay Baby', tragically died in the ordeal and his parents were left seriously injured.
Addressing the incident on social media, Louisiana State Police said in a Facebook post: "The driver and front passenger, who were both properly restrained, sustained serious injuries and were transported to a local hospital. Preston, who was seated in the rear, but improperly restrained in a child safety seat, also sustained serious injuries and was transported to the hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries."
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It continued: "As part of the ongoing investigation, a routine toxicology sample was collected from the driver for analysis.
"Louisiana State Police stress that proper restraint use significantly reduces the risk of serious injury or death in a crash. Louisiana law requires all occupants, regardless of seating position, to be properly restrained at all times. The proper use of seat belts and child safety seats can be the difference between life and death."
The statement has caused some upset following the claims that Preston wasn't properly restrained. The toddler's grandfather addressed the matter and branded what the police said as 'hurtful and painful'.
In the comments section of the same post, Louisiana State Police insisted that it did not mean to 'add to the pain' of the situation but it is the local law enforcement's responsibility 'to be transparent and honest about what is happening in our communities in a timely manner'.
As people grieve the death of two-year-old Preston, his parents are believed to still in hospital being treated for their respective injuries.
In an update posted to Katelynn's TikTok page (where she had posted several viral videos of Preston), two family members said that they were posting on her behalf.
Confirming the sad news of Preston's passing, they went on to say of his mom and dad: "Katelynn and Jaelan are severely injured. Katelynn has multiple broken bones. She had a very bad concussion. She walked for the first time today [since the crash].
"Jaelan had to have emergency surgery on one of his legs. He has rods and pins in the them."
The couple were reportedly taken to separate hospitals. In the wake of the urgent medical attention that they needed a GoFundMe page has been created to help them pay for it all.
At the time of writing, the page has raised over $39,500 of its $50,000 goal.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact The Compassionate Friends on (877) 969-0010.