The Ordone family is sharing a statement after their 2-year-old son, Preston Ordone, known on TikTok as “Okay Baby,” died in a single-vehicle car crash.
On Sunday, April 27, family friends shared a video on Katelynn Ordone’s popular TikTok page, revealing that both Katelynn and Jaelan Ordone were in the car with Preston at the time of the accident.
Their daughter, Paisley, who also often made appearances on the popular TikTok page, was at school at the time of the accident and was not in the car.
“We don’t know all the details yet,” the family friend Brielle began. “Their truck veered to the right off the interstate and struck a tree and unfortunately, Preston didn’t make it.”
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Despite Preston’s young age, he became a familiar face on his mom’s TikTok, becoming widely known as the “Okay Baby” in August 2024, when he openly and hilariously defied his parents demands while enjoying a day at the pool.
@kate_ordone Replying to @Angel
we’re still trying to figure out what okay means to him
#adrenalinejunkies #kidtok #daredeviledit
On Sunday, the family friends revealed that the toddler’s parents “are severely injured,” explaining, “Katelynn has multiple broken bones. She had a very bad concussion. She walked for the first time today. Jaelan had to have emergency surgery on one of his legs, he has rods in them, pins in them. They’re both at different hospitals.”
After addressing the “huge impact” Preston had on the TikTok community, they added that they “know Preston is in heaven right now.”
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“He made people smile and laugh. I know you guys look forward to seeing him every day, and I know in heaven right now, if there’s mud in heaven, he’s probably has found it and is jumping and dancing in it. Running up and down the streets of gold in his overalls. He probably has golden overalls.”
@kate_ordone He indeed was NOT careful…. #LiveOutlandish #kidtok #toddlersoftiktok #toddlerboys #adrenalinejunkies #daredeviledit #fyp #trending
The video statement comes several days after the Louisiana State Police shared a release on their Facebook page on Thursday, April 24.
“Shortly before 11:50 a.m., Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop L responded to a single-vehicle crash on Interstate 12, west of the LA Hwy 59 exit in St. Tammany Parish. The crash tragically claimed the life of 2-year-old Preston Ordone of Slidell,” the release read. “The preliminary investigation indicates that a 2011 Ford F-150 was traveling eastbound on I-12 when, for reasons still under investigation, the vehicle veered off the roadway to the right and struck a tree.”
The Louisiana State Police reports that the driver of the vehicle and front passenger “were both properly restrained” and “sustained serious injuries.”
However, police reports that Preston “was seated in the rear, but improperly restrained in a child safety seat.” An investigation is ongoing and will include a routine toxicology” from the driver for analysis.
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The police then shared a warning to other drivers and passengers: “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. Parents and caregivers who are unsure about their child’s car seat installation are encouraged to visit any Louisiana State Police Troop or contact the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission to locate the nearest fitting station. Ensuring correct installation and usage of car seats and booster seats is critical to preventing injuries and saving lives.”
Preston’s grandfather Glen Norris has since disputed the Louisiana State Police in a statement of his own shared with Nola.com, claiming that Preston was properly restrained in his carseat.
Norris said he talked with the witness who removed Preston from the vehicle, who claimed the toddler was properly restrained. He noted Katelynn, Jaelan, and Preston were on their way home from a doctors’ appointment when the crash occurred.
The state police later added in a statement, “Our goal is never to add to the pain, but rather to fulfill our responsibility in this age of information.”
