Bored Panda works better on our iPhone app
Continue in app Continue in browser

The Bored Panda iOS app is live! Fight boredom with iPhones and iPads here.

“Car Seat Safety Is Not A Parenting Choice”: Influencer Parents Slammed After 2YO Son Passes Away
Two-year-old TikTok star known as Okay Baby wearing a beige blazer and striped shirt indoors.

“Car Seat Safety Is Not A Parenting Choice”: Influencer Parents Slammed After 2YO Son Passes Away

A family loved by thousands online is facing the unimaginable loss of a TikTok-famous 2-year-old boy, who passed away in a car crash.

Preston Ordone—affectionately known as “Okay Baby” on social media—lost his life in an accident involving his mother, Katelynn, and father, Jaelen Ordone.

The police said the deceased child was improperly restrained when the accident took place, but his family refuted the claims and said the police’s statement was “hurtful and painful.”

Highlights
  • Preston Ordone passed away in a car accident on April 24, 2025.
  • The toddler was affectionately known as “Okay Baby” to his many fans online.
  • His mother Katelynn and father Jaelen Ordone survived the crash with serious injuries.
  • The police said the child was not properly restrained, but the family refuted the claims.
RELATED:

    Preston Ordone, affectionately known as “Okay Baby,” passed away in a car accident on April 24, 2025

    Image credits: kate_ordone

    The Louisiana State Police revealed that the Ordone family was involved in the crash on April 24 while driving in a 2011 Ford F-150 in Tammany Parish, Louisiana.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Katelynn and Jaelen’s older daughter Paisley was in school at the time.

    During the drive, the Ford vehicle had veered off the roadway towards the right and struck a tree.

    Image credits: kate_ordone

    The police statement said the parents were properly restrained in their front seats but still sustained serious injuries and were taken to the hospital.

    Meanwhile, Preston was in the back and was “improperly restrained in a child safety seat,” the statement continued.

    He “sustained serious injuries and was transported to the hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries,” the police added.

    The Louisiana State Police said little Preston was not properly restrained in his car seat

    The accident is currently being investigated, and a routine toxicology sample was collected from the driver for further analysis.

    The police department asserted the importance of “proper restraint” regardless of “seating position.”

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    This “significantly reduces the risk of serious injury or death in a crash,” they said. “…The proper use of seat belts and child safety seats can be the difference between life and death.”

    Image credits: kate_ordone

    Preston was known to 170K Instagram followers and 455K TikTok followers as “Okay Baby.”

    He earned the sweet nickname from his habit of responding to his mother’s instructions with an adorable and enthusiastic “okay” but immediately doing the exact opposite.

    In one viral video with 19.4 million views, his mother, Katelynn, was captured asking him to wait before jumping into a pool. He cheerfully replied, “Okay,” and then leaped in any way.

    Preston won millions of hearts with his playful defiance.

    The family refuted claims of the boy not being securely placed in his car seat

    Image credits: kate_ordone

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Following the fatal crash, the toddler’s grandfather, Glen Norris, refuted police claims of the deceased child being improperly restrained.

    Speaking to Nola.com, Glen said Preston and his parents were returning home from a doctor’s appointment when the crash took place.

    A witness, who reportedly removed the toddler from the car, told the grandfather that the child was properly secured in his car seat, Glen told the outlet.

    Louisiana State Police announce fatal accident claiming life of 2-year-old TikTok star 'Okay Baby' in news release.

    Image credits: LouisianaStatePolice

    ADVERTISEMENT

    As Glen copes with his grandson’s loss, he said he was angered by the police statement and found it “hurtful and painful.”

    However, Trooper Marc Gremillion spoke to the outlet and maintained that the police statement was based on details found by investigators.

    Both Katelynn and Jaelen sustained serious injuries and have a long road to recovery

    Image credits: GoFundMe

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Carson Matranga, a fellow TikToker and friend of the Ordone family, shared a video with his wife, Brielle Matranga, on April 27 with an update on Katelynn and Jaelen’s condition.

    Brielle said Katelynn had a very bad concussion and had multiple bones broken during the crash, while Jaelen underwent emergency surgery on one leg and now has rods and pins in it.

    “I know you guys looked forward to seeing him every day,” Carson said in the video. “I know that in heaven right now if there’s mud in heaven, he’s probably found it.”

    A GoFundMe page was set up to help the Ordone family offset medical expenses and support them on their long road to recovery.

    The fundraiser has a $50,000 goal and raised $38,956 so far.

    The family set up a GoFundMe page to offset medical expenses for Preston’s parents

    Image credits: kate_ordone

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Social media users expressed grief following the beloved toddler’s passing, with one saying, “I hope to never bury my child …. Condolences.”

    “I’m in tears. His little voice keeps playing in my head 😭 RIP Preston! Praying for the family,” another wrote.

    Image credits: kate_ordone

    ADVERTISEMENT

    “I can’t believe the okay baby is gone,” said another. “This life just finds a way to break our hearts. Rip, precious little one.”

    “Unfortunately I have seen several TikTok videos of little man not in a carseat while in the vehicles in one they were headed to his paw paws in the black truck another while in the carpool lane there didn’t even seem to be a carseat in the vehicle,” one said.

    “Please don’t judge so quickly,” another wrote. “I know the Grandfather very well. This is an amazing Family. It’s a tragedy. Say a prayer for them. They don’t need judgement they need Love and Support.”

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Fans expressed grief following the tragic passing of beloved “Okay Baby

    Image credits: kate_ordone

    “Unfortunately, a lot of people aren’t aware about car seat safety and how to properly buckle or which car seats to use at what age,” one said. “Also, a lot of parents put their kids forward facing too early.”

    In the US, proper child restraint typically means that children under the age of 2 must ride in a rear-facing car seat unless they exceed the height or weight limit.

    Older toddlers and young children are expected to be secured in forward-facing seats with a harness; they are later required to be placed in booster seats until seat belts fit them properly.

    Netizens expressed grief over little Preston’s tragic passing

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    Ic_polls

    Poll Question

    Thanks! Check out the results:

    Share on Facebook
    Binitha Jacob

    Binitha Jacob

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    Working as a writer for Bored Panda offers an added layer of excitement. By afternoon, I'm fully immersed in the whirlwind of celebrity drama, and by evening, I'm navigating through the bustling universe of likes, shares, and clicks. This role not only allows me to delve into the fascinating world of pop culture but also lets me do what I love: weave words together and tell other people's captivating stories to the world

    Read less »
    Binitha Jacob

    Binitha Jacob

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Working as a writer for Bored Panda offers an added layer of excitement. By afternoon, I'm fully immersed in the whirlwind of celebrity drama, and by evening, I'm navigating through the bustling universe of likes, shares, and clicks. This role not only allows me to delve into the fascinating world of pop culture but also lets me do what I love: weave words together and tell other people's captivating stories to the world

    Karina Babenok

    Karina Babenok

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    As a visual editor in the News team, I look for the most interesting pictures and comments to make each post interesting and informative through images, so that you aren't reading only blocks of text. I joined Bored Panda not that long ago, but in this short amount of time I have covered a wide range of topics: from true crime to Taylor Swift memes (my search history is very questionable because of that).In my freetime, I enjoy spending time at the gym, gaming, binging Great British Bake Off and adding yet another tattoo artist that I would love to get a tattoo from to my pinterest board.

    Read less »

    Karina Babenok

    Karina Babenok

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    As a visual editor in the News team, I look for the most interesting pictures and comments to make each post interesting and informative through images, so that you aren't reading only blocks of text. I joined Bored Panda not that long ago, but in this short amount of time I have covered a wide range of topics: from true crime to Taylor Swift memes (my search history is very questionable because of that).In my freetime, I enjoy spending time at the gym, gaming, binging Great British Bake Off and adding yet another tattoo artist that I would love to get a tattoo from to my pinterest board.

    What do you think ?
    User avatar
    Add photo comments
    POST
    Trillian
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is heartbreaking but ffs there should be no such thing as a "2 yr old Tik Tok star". Outlaw this sort of exploitation already.

    LB
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Right? "The toddler was affectionately known as “Okay Baby” to his many fans online." Like... no, just stop.

    Load More Replies...
    Rika
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What a tragic loss... of income for the poor kid's parents! I was worried for a moment thinking that they wouldn't start some fundraising... Seriously, society campaigns to ban animal from circuses but praises and supports parents who really do treat their kids as circus animals. RIP to this sweet kid, I hope there's an afterlife and he can actually live his life as a person and not a "TikTok star" when he was too young to even understand what he was being used for.

    Bi.Felicia
    Community Member
    Premium
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is a very heartbreaking tragedy and my thoughts are with Preston's family and loved ones. I do however disagree with the comments that say those who are stating that the child was not restrained properly are disrespectful and ignorant. Or that the family just lost their young child and nothing should have been said until the family had time to grieve. By sharing that this toddler was not restrained in his seat properly, so soon after the accident, will likely save another child/family from going through the same thing. The public needs to be educated that a properly restrained child is more likely to survive a serious accident and if you're not sure about your kids car seat, you can have a professional check it for you. In my area, anyone can stop at a fire station and ask them to check out your car seats and will adjust them as needed. Far too often I have seen young children/toddlers bouncing all around the car, no car seat, seat belt or anything at all and it needs to stop.

    Load More Comments
    Trillian
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is heartbreaking but ffs there should be no such thing as a "2 yr old Tik Tok star". Outlaw this sort of exploitation already.

    LB
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Right? "The toddler was affectionately known as “Okay Baby” to his many fans online." Like... no, just stop.

    Load More Replies...
    Rika
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What a tragic loss... of income for the poor kid's parents! I was worried for a moment thinking that they wouldn't start some fundraising... Seriously, society campaigns to ban animal from circuses but praises and supports parents who really do treat their kids as circus animals. RIP to this sweet kid, I hope there's an afterlife and he can actually live his life as a person and not a "TikTok star" when he was too young to even understand what he was being used for.

    Bi.Felicia
    Community Member
    Premium
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is a very heartbreaking tragedy and my thoughts are with Preston's family and loved ones. I do however disagree with the comments that say those who are stating that the child was not restrained properly are disrespectful and ignorant. Or that the family just lost their young child and nothing should have been said until the family had time to grieve. By sharing that this toddler was not restrained in his seat properly, so soon after the accident, will likely save another child/family from going through the same thing. The public needs to be educated that a properly restrained child is more likely to survive a serious accident and if you're not sure about your kids car seat, you can have a professional check it for you. In my area, anyone can stop at a fire station and ask them to check out your car seats and will adjust them as needed. Far too often I have seen young children/toddlers bouncing all around the car, no car seat, seat belt or anything at all and it needs to stop.

    Load More Comments
    You May Like
    Related on Bored Panda
    Popular on Bored Panda
    Trending on Bored Panda
    Also on Bored Panda