LOUISVILLE, KY (WDRB) -- Relatives described a chaotic scene where young children were screaming, many were carted off on stretchers and there was little communication about what their children or what led to the fatal daycare van crash that killed one and injured 15 others.
A day later, it is still unclear what caused the van to strike a tree on Algonquin Parkway. Of the 14 children initially admitted to Kosair Children's Hospital, only 6 remained admitted Wednesday night – three in intensive care.
A van monitor, 31-year old Tiffany Belk, was killed in the crash.
An LMPD spokesman said the crash is still under investigation, adding that everyone but the driver was wearing a seatbelt.
But some family members of the crash victims are raising serious questions about whether the children were properly restrained. Authorities confirmed 16 people were in the van.
"My family and my sister, we are going through a lot. All three of her babies are here - the youngest 8 months - and we do not know when they will be coming home. I just ask for the community to pray for us any my family," said Roniece Baker, the aunt of three of the children.
Roniece Baker says her 8-month old niece, 2-year old nephew and 4-year old niece were sitting directly behind the driver when their faces smashed into a hard surface.
The youngest has swelling on her brain. The oldest – with fractures to her face. Both are still in intensive care.
"The youngest she is in very bad shape -- she just had facial reconstruction of her eye bone, I know right now both of them having breathing tubes - respiration tubes down their throats to keep them breathing. The oldest also has to have her nose pushed back out," said Baker.
The driver remains hospitalized with two broken arms and two broken legs.
Kosair Children's Hospital's Medical Director said the children's injuries are a bit unusual.
"Most of the time they go home. So to have this many children injured and have to be admitted is a little bit unusual."
Heavenly Angels Childcare Center is closed and the owner is not talking. But a state health official confirms a separate Heavenly Angels location was suspended last year from transporting children.
That location has since closed.
