Detroit warming centers: Resources available after children freeze to death in casino parking garage
Investigation ongoing after children freeze to death inside Detroit parking garage
Detroit police are now investigating after a 2-year-old girl and 9-year-old boy died inside a minivan that was parked in the Hollywood Casino parking garage. Police believe the children froze to death while living in the vehicle with their mother and other siblings.
DETROIT (FOX 2) - As a family grapples with the loss of two children who froze to death in a Detroit parking garage, the city is reminding people that resources are available for those in need.
Police said a 2-year-old girl and a 9-year-old boy were living with their mother and other siblings inside a van at the Hollywood Casino parking garage in Greektown when they died Tuesday.
"This was unnecessary. It didn't have to happen this way," Detroit Police Capt. Nathan Duda said.
Greektown death: 2 children found dead in a parked van near Hollywood Casino
Investigators are shaken by the unimaginable tragedy that one phone call could have prevented. Two children were frozen to death inside a van parked at Hollywood Casino at Greektown.
Detroit homeless resources
Duda said police officers are available to help get people to shelter and resources if they are living in the cold.
"If you see somebody who appears unsheltered, and it's subzero or cold weather, please call 911. We'll come, we'll help," he said.
In addition to calling 911, the Detroit Housing Network has a hotline that will connect people with resources.
The city said about 110 beds are reserved for drop in emergency services.
"When you call the helpline, there is a specialist who will answer the phone and walk the family through the resources and services that are available," said Chelsea Neblett, the chief of housing services in Detroit. "If you do find yourself in a situation where you are experiencing homelessness, please call us so that we can get you and your family connected with resources."
The hotline is available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The hotline number is 866-313-2520.
Detroit warming centers
Detroit warming centers provide overnight shelter for those in need.
- Cass Community Social Services at 1534 Webb - Serves families and women
- Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries at 12900 W. Chicago - Serves families and women
- Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries at 3535 Third - Serves single males
- Pope Francis Center Bridge Housing Campus gym - Call 211 to find out if space is available or visit PFC’s Day Center at 438 Saint Antoine
Detroit respite locations
In addition to the warming centers, Detroit libraries and recreation centers provide a safe place for people to warm up during operating houses.
Recreation centers
Adams Butzel Complex, 10500 Lyndon
Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.– 9 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Butzel Family Center, 7737 Kercheval Avenue
Monday-Friday from 11 a.m.–7 p.m., Closed Saturday
Clemente Recreation Center, 2631 Bagley
Monday-Friday from 1– 9 p.m., Closed Saturday
Community Center at AB Ford, 100 Lenox
Monday – Friday from 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Crowell Recreation Center, 16630 Lahser
Monday-Friday from 1– 9 p.m., Closed Saturday
Farwell Recreation Center, 2711 E. Outer Drive
Monday-Friday from 11 a.m.–7 p.m., Closed Saturday
Heilmann Recreation Center, 19601 Crusade
Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. – 9 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Kemeny Recreation Center, 2260 S. Fort
Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.– 9 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Lasky Recreation Center, 13200 Fenelon
Monday-Friday from 1– 9 p.m., Closed Saturday
Northwest Activities Center, 18100 Meyers
Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. – 9 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Patton Recreation Center, 2301 Woodmere
Monday-Friday, from 8 a.m. – 9 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Detroit libraries
Click here to see a list of all Detroit library locations and when they are open.