Jeffrey Koistinen and His Family Continue to Carry the Weight of Their Loss

Jeffrey Koistinen and His Family Continue to Carry the Weight of Their Loss

The death of 17-month-old Liam Koistinen under the care of a Watertown childcare provider shattered not only his parents’ world but also the trust of an entire community. For Jeffrey Koistinen (Liam’s father) and Liam’s mom, the sentencing of Amanda Walder in 2023 did little to ease the heartbreak. Their grief, shared publicly in interviews and court statements, remains raw and unshakable.

The Sentencing That Couldn’t Heal

In July 2023, Walder was sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to the accidental killing. The court also ordered her to pay restitution—over $13,000 to the Koistinen family and additional costs to Codington County. While justice was served in legal terms, for Liam’s parents, no sentence could ever truly reflect the weight of their loss. The courtroom ruling marked the end of a legal battle, but for the Koistinen family, the real battle—the one with grief—continues each and every day.

Jeffrey Koistinen and Liam’s Thoughts: Grief That Never Fades

The YouTube video from Dakota News Now, “Parents respond to sentence for Watertown childcare provider in son’s death,” captures the heart-wrenching reality of the Koistinen family’s suffering.

Jeffrey Koistinen described the overwhelming sense of emptiness and the daily reminder of what was taken from them.

Jeffrey Koistinen’s wife (Liam’s mom) shared how the incident continues to haunt her, leaving behind wounds that time cannot easily heal.

Their voices, filled with grief, frustration, and heartbreak, speak for countless other parents who place their trust in childcare providers. For the Koistinens, every word shared in public is not just about their own pain but about protecting other families from ever experiencing the same devastation.

A Community Still Shocked

The tragedy shook Watertown and beyond, sparking difficult conversations about the safety of in-home childcare. Families rely on providers to protect their most precious loved ones, but this case underscored the importance of stronger oversight, accountability, and awareness. Parents throughout the community began questioning how such a devastating incident could happen and what measures could be put in place to prevent future tragedies. In many ways, the Koistinen family’s experience has become a rallying cry for greater vigilance in ensuring the safety of children everywhere.

Beyond the Courtroom: Still Living With Grief

For Jeffrey Koistinen and his wife, every day is a reminder of the child they lost. Birthdays that will never be celebrated, milestones that will never be reached, and memories that were never made continue to weigh heavily on their hearts. Their home, once filled with Liam’s laughter and energy, now holds an unfillable silence that no court ruling or sentence can erase.

The reality of grief is that it doesn’t disappear when the headlines fade or when justice is handed down. For the Koistinens, the absence of their son is felt in the smallest of daily moments—walking past his toys, remembering his smile, or thinking about the future he will never have. Their suffering serves as a painful reminder of the fragility of trust—and the urgent responsibility society has in safeguarding children.

Honoring Liam’s Memory

The name Liam Koistinen now symbolizes both devastating loss and the enduring strength of a grieving family. As Jeffrey Koistinen and his wife continue to carry their grief, their courage in speaking out ensures that their son’s memory is never forgotten. They have chosen to transform their pain into a message that encourages awareness, accountability, and compassion in the childcare system.

Liam’s story is not only one of tragedy but also one of love—a love so strong that it continues to shape his parents’ lives and the conversations of an entire community. Through their openness, Jeffrey Koistinen and his wife remind us all that protecting children must always come first.

Their story stands as both a warning and a call for reform, while at the same time keeping Liam’s memory alive. Though his life was heartbreakingly short, his impact remains powerful, carried forward by the unwavering love of his family.