Ebony Wilkerson, who drove her three children into the Atlantic Ocean off Daytona Beach last year, is allowed to leave a psychiatric hospital, but she still cannot see her kids.

Wilkerson's defense attorney tried to convince a judge Monday afternoon to let his client move into an assisted living facility.

The judge, however, decided that would not be restrictive enough for Wilkerson.

Wilkerson was taken into custody in March 2014 after investigators said she drove her minivan into the water at Daytona Beach with her three children inside. Wilkerson was also pregnant with a fourth child at the time.

The mother and children were all rescued and survived the incident.

Wilkerson was sent to a state mental hospital in January after a judge ruled her not guilty of child abuse by reason of insanity. Prosecutors dropped attempted murder charges after doctors said Wilkerson had a psychotic breakdown.

Psychologists for both the state and defense agreed Monday that Wilkerson's mental state has since improved, and suggested she be allowed to move out of the hospital.

Wilkerson answered questions in court Monday afternoon, saying she understood she suffers from bipolar disorder, and that she needs to stay on medication that is keeping her in good mental health.

 "When you feel good, you want to stay feeling good," Wilkerson said. "I want to stay feeling good and be myself, and when I'm on medication, I feel better."

The judge ordered Wilkerson to be transferred from the state mental hospital to Lake Wales Medical Center, a transitional facility in Polk County that gives her a little more freedom, but will also make sure she takes her medication.

The judge also made it clear that Wilkerson cannot talk with her children, not even over the phone.  She will be allowed to exchange letters with her kids through a therapist.

The three children involved in the incident were placed in state custody. Wilkerson's fourth child, born while she was in jail, is with the child's father.