In a heartbreaking incident, two young children died from apparent exposure to the cold in a Detroit parking garage. On February 10, 2025, a 9-year-old and a 2-year-old were discovered in a van in the Hollywood Casino Hotel parking facility at Greektown. The family of 7 lived in a van for almost a year.
The Detroit police reported that the family had been sleeping in their vehicle. It had run out of gas or ceased functioning during the brutally cold night. The mother, who had awoken to find her older child unresponsive, promptly called 911.
The mother lived with her 5 kids in a van after they got evicted from her apartment last year. On Monday Morning the van was parked in the casino garage when it stopped running while they were asleep.
“It hurts. I tried. I asked for help, even people out of state.”
Says Tatiana Williams (the mother)
The mother, her friend, and the children’s grandmother noticed the 2 kids had stopped breathing around noon. By the time they reached the hospital, it was a little too late.
“No parent, no family, no mother should ever have to endure such hardship and heartbreak. As Detroiters, I know that we will lift them up in our hearts.”
Deputy Mayor Melia Howard
Interim Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison expressed the city’s sadness over the tragedy, emphasizing the need for community reflection and action. He noted that the children’s death, likely due to hypothermia, highlighted an urgent societal crisis requiring compassion and intervention.
The father of the children Darnell spoke with the media sharing that the mother had said nothing to him. He wiped tears as he spoke with the media.
“She ain’t ever said nothing to me. Nothing. So, all them sob other stories, they can cut all that. No, she did not.
“All she said was ‘can I get ’em?’ Can I get ’em, just to get ’em, and can I get ’em because ya’ll homeless? That’s two different things.”
said Darnell.
The incident underscores the vulnerability of homeless families and the dire need for accessible shelter options. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan remarked on the somber day for the city, urging a reevaluation of the measures in place for assisting those in desperate situations.
This incident calls for a critical look at public safety nets and the availability of warming centers in the city. The officials offer reminders of resources intended to prevent such disasters.
The weight of this event is far-reaching, affecting the immediate community. It ignites a broader conversation about homelessness and safe shelter access in today’s urban settings.
Also read,