MI - 2 children die in Detroit casino parking garage, police say they probably froze to death.

[Shamrock1]

I’m not local, but I’ve been trying for months to get assistance for someone in Detroit. Yes, there are websites that list dozens of organizations. Lots of phone numbers. But none of them are actually taking new clients and most have simply exhausted their funds. The idea that phoning a shelter/911 results in an immediate placement - or any placement - isn’t reality.

So what does a parent do when there simply isn’t any shelter? She bundles them into her car and finds a parking garage, so they are at least somewhat protected (versus an open lot). And she picks a casino garage, which is likely to have cameras and maybe even additional security.

JMO.

 

[airportwoman]

I don't know. We get samples back with a 24 hour turnover for suspected drugs. So, that doesn't seem correct.

The less extensive screens can be done immediately. The more detailed ones take much longer.

 

[mickey2942]

The less extensive screens can be done immediately. The more detailed ones take much longer.

Well, just to rule out most common substances shouldn't take months, especially when other children could be at risk.

 

[kaen]

During the recent cold snap, I had a 17 yo client who went to a program that I vetted and have experience with. Despite making calls and believing that I had all the right data. This client wound up on the street at 11 pm in subzero temperatures again AT 17 yo. The client broke into an unheated business and slept in a 10 degree shelter. There always seem to be lots of services but in reality they can not be viable or not available. We have serious issues in this country with available services. The problem is real.

 

[Bigditch]

I’m not local, but I’ve been trying for months to get assistance for someone in Detroit. Yes, there are websites that list dozens of organizations. Lots of phone numbers. But none of them are actually taking new clients and most have simply exhausted their funds. The idea that phoning a shelter/911 results in an immediate placement - or any placement - isn’t reality.

So what does a parent do when there simply isn’t any shelter? She bundles them into her car and finds a parking garage, so they are at least somewhat protected (versus an open lot). And she picks a casino garage, which is likely to have cameras and maybe even additional security.

JMO.

What a thoughtful and compassionate reply.

 

[Goecke]

There was a very similar case out of California in 2023: Unhoused mom says she begged for housing months before 1-year-old died near LAX
I'm not sure the cause of death was ever released for that child, either. There were never any charges, and by all accounts it sounds like the mom in that case did everything she could to get help for her children- Much like the mother in this case, IMO. Obviously we won't know for sure until the autopsies are complete but I'm not seeing any intentional neglect, just a family who was utterly failed by the system. I'm glad that the mother and two surviving children have housing now but it shouldn't have taken the deaths of her two other children for that to happen.

 

[ChatteringBirds]

According to this, it was released on Wednesday, March 5th that the children did die from carbon monoxide toxicity. The manner if death was listed as Accident.

Cause of Death Revealed for 2 Children Who Died After Sleeping in Van amid Freezing Temperatures

Authorities in Detroit have revealed the cause of death for two children who died after sleeping in a van amid freezing temperatures.

people.com

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Cause of death revealed for two kids who died in van in Detroit casino parking structure

Autopsy results released Wednesday reveal Darnell Currie Jr. and his sister, A'Millah, died of carbon monoxide poisoning, not hypothermia.

www.detroitnews.com

The cause of death for two children who died Feb. 10 while staying in a van parked in a Detroit casino garage amid below-freezing temperatures was carbon monoxide poisoning, according to the Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office.

The results of the autopsies for Darnell Currie Jr. and his sister, A'Millah, were released Wednesday by the Medical Examiner's Office. Their deaths were ruled accidental.

Detroit police officials initially said they believed A'Millah, 2, and Darnell, 9, died of hypothermia. The van lost heat at some point on Feb. 10 while parked in Greektown's Hollywood Casino parking garage, and the temperature around midnight hovered at 17 degrees. The medical examiner's office performed autopsies Feb. 11, the day after they died...

 

[NoeticSoul]

UPDATE: 2 Homeless Kids in a Van Died From Carbon Monoxide — NOT Hypothermia

Michigan officials announced on Wednesday that two children who died in a parking garage last month died from carbon monoxide poisoning. Tateona Williams and her four children were reportedly homeless for around two months, parking in various casino parking structures, when her 9-year-old son...

www.crimeonline.com

 

[kaen]

So sadly tragic. It makes sense that they probably were in an older vehicle that would have had a greater chance of exhaust leaks. Also others in the van might have been suffering from the effects of the gas as it pertained to decision-making. RIP little ones. I hope we can make reform so this doesn't happen again.