Three Children Injured at Waukesha Christmas Parade Allowed to Go Home Before Thanksgiving

Three of the children injured at the Waukesha Christmas Parade on Sunday were released from the hospital ahead of the Thanksgiving weekend, according to the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin.

On Wednesday afternoon, hospital officials announced that three more children would be released after being treated for injuries they had sustained during the fatal incident, in which an SUV barreled through the parade.

"We are thankful to share that three more kids injured on Sunday will be home for Thanksgiving, where they will continue their recovery," the hospital said in a statement.

As of Wednesday evening, five children remained in critical condition, two in fair condition and another three in good condition.

"No matter where our patients and families are, we are committed to supporting their physical and emotional needs," the statement read. "We also are committed to supporting kids and families who are reflecting on the tragedy and the impact it has had on their lives."

Eighteen children, ranging from ages 3 to 16 and suffering injuries ranging from facial abrasions to broken bones to serious head injuries, were brought to the hospital's emergency department following the tragic incident.

Two kids were discharged on Sunday while the other 16 were admitted to the hospital. Six patients underwent surgery Sunday evening and two were scheduled for surgery on Monday.

Children Waukesha Christmas Parade Hospital Thanksgiving
Three of the children injured in the Waukesha Christmas parade tragedy have been released from the hospital in time for Thanksgiving. Pictured, people leave items at a memorial at the base of a flag pole... Jim Vondruska/Stringer

"Our region has experienced mass casualty events like this in the past, but none in the recent history involving such a large number of children," Children's Wisconsin Emergency Department Director Dr. Amy Drendel said.

Two of the children were able to go home with their families on Monday.

On Tuesday, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin announced the first pediatric death from the parade after 8-year-old Jackson Sparks succumbed to his injuries.

"I would see him running around with all the other little kids, smiles from ear to ear," Sparks' minister said at a memorial for the victims in Veterans Park.

Five other people have been pronounced dead as a result of the attack: Virginia Sorenson, LeAnna Owen, Tamara Durand, Jane Kulich and Wilhelm Hospel.

Police are still investigating the attack and are asking anyone with video showing the vehicle plowing into the crowds to send it to authorities.

The suspect driving the SUV has been identified as Darrell Brooks Jr.

Brooks was charged with five felony counts of first-degree intentional homicide on Tuesday. Cash bail was set at $5 million—an amount Waukesha County Court Commissioner Kevin Costello said was "extraordinarily high" but "warranted."

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