CONGERS, N.Y., April 26 (UPI) -- Private funeral services were held in New York for three young children who died when their mother drove her minivan into the Hudson River, relatives said.
A fourth child in Lashanda Armstrong's vehicle managed to escape out of a window and swim through 45-degree water to safety, The New York Times reported Tuesday.
Relatives and friends gathered at Gethsemane Cemetery in Congers, N.Y., Monday to bury Landen Pierre, 5, Lance Pierre, 2, and 11-month-old Lainaina Pierre.
The children's father, Jean Pierre, 26, barred members of Armstrong's family from the funeral service at St. Paul's Church in Congers, The Journal News, White Plains, N.Y., reported.
Armstrong, who fought with the children's father before driving the minivan into the river April 12, was buried last week at another cemetery.
Angry shouts filled the air when mourners learned they weren't welcome at the invitation-only ceremony.
Armstrong's relatives blamed Pierre for driving her over the edge with his behavior, the newspaper said.
