Greektown death: 2 children found dead in a parked van near Hollywood Casino
Two kids found dead in van at Hollywood Casino
The mother was inside the van, along with her five children, when she noticed that one of the kids wasn't breathing. The godmother came and picked up the children, transporting them to the hospital, after which Detroit police were called. It's believed that two of them froze to death.
DETROIT (FOX 2) - 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 in Greektown.
VIEW: Detroit warming centers
What they're saying:
According to police, the family was living in the van and pulled into the casino around 1 a.m.
The mother inside the van, along with five children, noticed that one of the kids wasn't breathing. The godmother came and picked up the children, transporting them to the hospital, after which Detroit police were called. It's believed that two of them froze to death.
It is unknown what happened, but the van either ran out of gas or had a mechanical issue, leaving the family of six without heat.
Detroit warming centers: Resources available after children freeze to death in casino parking garage
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.
Dig deeper:
Detroit Police Captain Nathan Duda spoke with FOX 2's Jessica Dupnack Monday afternoon and said the minivan pulled into the parking garage early Monday morning around 1 a.m. Sometime after that, the vehicle ran out of gas on the 9th floor of the parking garage.
The children, ranging in age from 2 to 13 years old, were living inside the van.
The 2-year-old was wearing a pull-up and T-shirt, while the older child was in a T-shirt and jogging pants. There were just a couple of blankets in the car.
"It has to be, it has to be. I mean, I don’t think anyone really wants to think about that at the moment with the two children passed, but the reality is the circumstances need to be examined. We have to figure out how to go forward," said Duda.
Three other children, ages 13, 8, and 4, were physically fine but were checked out.
What's next:
A criminal investigation ‘has to happen,’ Duda says, and Child Protective Services is involved in the case.
The children's mother was detained and has provided a statement but is not in custody at this time.
What you can do:
Duda is urging anyone who sees someone in need like this family to call police.
The captain says Detroit Police will transport and help anyone in need.
The City of Detroit has a help line for unsheltered people; that number is 866-313-2520.
The Source: Detroit Police Captain Nathan Duda spoke with FOX 2 to confirm details of this story.
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Two kids found dead in van at Hollywood Casino at Greektown, Detroit police believe children froze to death
Detroit police said two kids were believed to have frozen death as they were living inside a van at Greektown Casino.