June is National Gun Violence Awareness Month, raising awareness of the issue that has been appropriately labeled a national public health epidemic.
In the blink of an eye, the Millers' lives were forever changed. And then they faced a question no parent ever expects to hear.
3:30 p.m.
On Sunday, Nov. 21, 18 kids and families started a journey with Children’s Wisconsin due to the tragedy at the Waukesha Christmas Parade. We’re excited to share the last child remaining in our care at Children's Wisconsin Hospital-Milwaukee from that incident was discharged on Jan. 1. While one child sadly did not survive, we are thankful that the medical conditions of the others involved have improved. Though they are home now, we know this is a journey and many face a long recovery as a result of serious injuries, both physical and mental. They will continue to need the love, support and dedication of the community.
While Children's Wisconsin will no longer be providing updates, we continue to think of the family who lost a child, and extend our condolences and care to all those affected by this tragedy.
As a reminder, seeking emotional support when you or your child needs it is so important. Live support continues to be available by calling or texting the Disaster Distress Helpline at (800) 985-5990. If you would like to connect with our Mental and Behavioral Health team for an appointment, or to find out what resources are available, please call (414) 266-3339 or use our online form.
We are happy to share that two additional children injured at the Waukesha Christmas Parade on Nov. 21 have been discharged.
One child remains at Children’s Wisconsin Hospital-Wisconsin and is in fair condition.
2 p.m.
Three children tragically injured at the Waukesha Christmas Parade on Nov. 21 continue their care and rehabilitation at Children’s Wisconsin Hospital-Milwaukee. All three children are listed in fair condition.
Two other children injured at the parade were discharged on Dec. 2 and are continuing their recovery from home.
Our teams continue to reflect on this tragic event while supporting the physical and emotional recovery of those impacted. Later this week, Children’s Wisconsin staff will be offered blue light bracelets as a symbol of healing and hope. They align with the City of Waukesha’s current “unite with a blue light” effort, which asks everyone to light a blue light outside their home and to keep it on through the holidays. Children’s Wisconsin Hospital-Milwaukee is also lit blue this month.
2:30 p.m.
Therapists with our Mental and Behavioral Health Helpline responded to calls from more than 90 families in response to the tragedy in Waukesha. Seeking emotional support when your child needs it is so important. While our Helpline is now closed, live support continues to be available by calling or texting the Disaster Distress Helpline at (800) 985-5990. If you would like to connect with our Mental and Behavioral Health team for an appointment, or to find out what resources are available, please call (414) 266-3339 or use our online form.
4 p.m.
On Sunday, Nov. 21, 18 kids and families started a journey with Children’s Wisconsin that none of them could have prepared for and that no one would ever choose. Two more children of the 16 admitted to our hospital that night have been discharged and continue their recovery from home. For all the kids involved, including the five kids still in our care at our Milwaukee hospital, we are committed to supporting their ongoing physical and emotional recovery. The conditions of the kids still at our hospital are:
It is important for the community to understand that while the medical conditions of the children involved have improved, many face a journey of long recovery as a result of serious injuries. These children are able to go home or be transferred out of intensive care, but they will continue to need the love, support and dedication of the community.
As the focus shifts from saving their lives to their recovery, Children’s will no longer provide daily updates. Any additional updates will continue to be shared on this page.
12 p.m.
Seven kids injured at the parade in Waukesha continue to be cared for at Children’s Wisconsin. Their conditions are unchanged from yesterday and are as follows:
We plan to keep our Mental and Behavioral Health Helpline, (414) 266-6500, open through the end of the week to support families seeking help with the emotional impact of trauma.
3 p.m.
Today marks one week since the tragic events at the Waukesha parade. We are grateful to share that a ninth child admitted last Sunday was discharged and was able to return home. Seven children injured in the parade continue in our care at Children’s Wisconsin. Their conditions are as follows:
We hold deep appreciation for the care and compassion of the Children’s Wisconsin team and the ongoing support of our community. Our Mental and Behavioral Health Helpline, (414) 266-6500, remains a resource for any family seeking help with the emotional impact of trauma.
3 p.m.
Thankfully, another child was able to return home from Children’s Wisconsin. As of Saturday, Nov. 27, eight patients injured in the Waukesha parade remain in our care. The conditions for these patients are:
Our Mental and Behavioral Health Helpline is available to support parents and their children struggling with trauma at (414) 266-6500 this holiday weekend. Individuals also can call or text the Disaster Distress Helpline at (800) 985-5990.
2:45 p.m.
One more child was able to return home from Children’s Wisconsin on Thanksgiving to continue their recovery. Nine patients injured at the Waukesha parade remain in our care. The conditions for these patients are:
Our Mental and Behavioral Health Helpline is open at (414) 266-6500, and we encourage parents to reach out for help for themselves or their children. Directly or indirectly, the tragedy impacts our entire community. Individuals also can call or text the Disaster Distress Helpline at (800) 985-5990.
We are thankful for the outpouring of support for the children injured in the Waukesha tragedy and for our teams who are caring for them.
5 p.m.
Gifts and other donations
We are grateful for the outpouring of support for the children injured in the Waukesha tragedy and for our teams who are caring for them. Your gifts of toys, food and other items are generous. Please be aware toy and other gift donations can be made by appointment only, Monday – Friday, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Call (414) 266-2183 to schedule your appointment. We are unable to accept food or other perishable items. Should you wish, you may consider making a monetary donation to the Children’s Wisconsin Foundation. Thank you.
4:20 p.m.
We are thankful to share that three more kids injured on Sunday will be home for Thanksgiving, where they will continue their recovery. Ten patients continue to be cared for at Children’s Wisconsin who were injured at the Waukesha parade. The conditions of those patients are:
No matter where our patients and families are, we are committed to supporting their physical and emotional needs.
We also are committed to supporting kids and families who are reflecting on the tragedy and the impact it has had on their lives. Families who need support can call the Children’s Wisconsin Mental and Behavioral Health Helpline at (414) 266-6500. Individuals also can call or text the Disaster Distress Helpline at (800) 985-5990.
5 p.m.
With deepest sympathy and sorrow, Children’s Wisconsin shares that earlier Tuesday, a child being cared for at Children’s Wisconsin passed away from injuries sustained at the Waukesha parade. As family and friends learn of this loss and the name of the child is likely to become public, the child’s parents have asked that their privacy be respected. They do not wish to be contacted by media at this time.
This child was one of 16 admitted to Children’s Wisconsin after being injured at the parade. Two families were able to take their children home Monday, where they will continue to recover physically and emotionally from this tragic event. The conditions of the 13 other patients being cared for at Children’s Wisconsin are:
While we continue to care for and support the families in our care, Children’s Wisconsin has also established a Mental and Behavioral Health Helpline, (414) 266-6500, for families looking for additional support.
Children’s Wisconsin extends its condolences and care to all those affected by this tragedy.
10 a.m.
Read this blog post from Leslie Scott, a certified child life specialist at Children’s Wisconsin, for some tips to help guide conversations with your kids about what they may be hearing or seeing.
If you need additional support, please call the Children’s Wisconsin Mental and Behavioral Health line at (414) 266-6500 or you can call or text the Disaster Distress Helpline at (800) 985-5990.
3:18 p.m.
Peggy Troy, president and CEO of Children's Wisconsin, released a statement on the tragic incident at the Waukesha Christmas Parade and the response of Children’s Wisconsin and the community.
12:53 p.m.
News conference with:
Update on the kids we've cared for at Children's Wisconsin:
9:55 a.m.
As the pediatric trauma center for the area, Children’s Wisconsin helped treat 18 kids who were injured from the Waukesha Christmas Parade incident on Sunday, Nov. 21.
At 11 a.m., medical leaders from the Children’s Wisconsin Hospital-Milwaukee will conduct a virtual news conference to share more information about how Children’s Wisconsin prepared to and continues to treat kids from the scene, and provide a high-level update on the kids in our care.
8:38 p.m.
Children’s Wisconsin immediately prepared for a surge of patients after receiving notification from law enforcement of the incident at the Waukesha Christmas Parade. As of 8 p.m., Children’s Wisconsin received 15 patients from the incident, with no reported fatalities at our hospital at that time.
The Children’s Wisconsin Emergency Department and Trauma Center is fully open to support any community need, in addition to responding to this fluid and dynamic situation.
Additional information on the Children’s Wisconsin response to this incident will be shared Monday morning.
June is National Gun Violence Awareness Month, raising awareness of the issue that has been appropriately labeled a national public health epidemic.
Thanks to the families who shared their stories and everyone who donated to make this another great year.
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Funds support services at seven Children’s Wisconsin Child Advocacy Centers, providing care for kids suspect of abuse or neglect.
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