TikTok Star Katelynn Ordone Returns to Social Media After Grieving Loss of Toddler Son
The influencer opens up about healing and honoring her late son Preston’s memory while navigating life after tragedy
Popular content creator Katelynn Ordone has made her comeback to social media following a three-week absence dedicated to mental health and family time after losing her young son in a devastating car crash.
Breaking the Silence
On January 13th, Ordone posted her first TikTok video since announcing her departure from the platform nearly three weeks earlier. The emotional break came just before what would have been her son Preston’s birthday, a milestone that proved particularly difficult for the grieving mother.
Preston, affectionately known to millions as the “Okay Baby” across his mother’s social channels, tragically lost his life in an automobile collision in April 2024. The accident occurred when the family’s Ford F-150 left the roadway and struck a tree in Louisiana, according to state police reports. While both Katelynn and her husband Jaelen survived the crash, their 2-year-old son succumbed to blunt force trauma, with the St. Tammany Parish coroner’s office ruling his death accidental.
Prioritizing Mental Health and Family
In her return video, the mother of two explained her reasoning behind stepping away from her substantial online presence, which spans over one million followers across Instagram and TikTok combined.
“I needed to disconnect from my phone temporarily and center my attention on my daughter, along with family and friends who’ve been present for us,” Ordone shared candidly. She described the experience as both beneficial and restorative, adding that she now feels prepared to re-engage with her community.
The influencer, who also has an older daughter named Paisley, acknowledged the healing power of being fully present with loved ones during such an intensely painful period.
Creating Space for Both Grief and Joy
Ordone outlined her vision for moving forward with her platform, expressing intentions to transform her social media into a dual-purpose space. She wants it to serve as both a memorial honoring Preston’s life and a resource for others experiencing similar heartbreak.
“I also want this to be somewhere I can simply enjoy myself occasionally,” she admitted, before addressing the complex emotions that accompany finding moments of happiness after loss.
The content creator spoke openly about wrestling with survivor’s guilt whenever she considers participating in lighthearted activities or sharing positive moments online. However, she’s working to overcome these feelings by focusing on what she believes Preston would have wanted.
“He’d want his mother and sister living fulfilling lives. He wouldn’t want to see me in constant sadness,” Ordone reflected, demonstrating her determination to move through the guilt rather than remain stuck in it.
Documenting the Journey Through Loss
Prior to her hiatus, Ordone had been transparent with her audience about navigating grief. She created several deeply personal videos exploring life after Preston’s passing, including commemorating the six-month mark of his death and documenting their family’s first Thanksgiving without him.
When she initially announced her break on December 26th—just one day before Preston’s birthday—she revealed an important realization about her coping mechanisms.
“Perhaps maintaining my online presence was necessary for my healing journey initially,” the bereaved parent explained at that time. “But right now, my healing requires concentrating on what’s tangible around me—my daughter and the family and friends who are physically here supporting us.”
Looking Toward the Future
As Ordone re-establishes her social media presence, she’s committed to authentic storytelling that honors both her grief and her gradual healing. Her transparency about the messy, non-linear nature of loss provides comfort to countless others facing similar circumstances.
The influencer expressed deep appreciation for her supportive community, crediting their encouragement as instrumental in her journey back to sharing her life online while continuing to process this unimaginable loss.