Two kids freeze to death in minivan at Detroit casino in Greektown
Detroit Police said two children froze to death after a family living in a van pulled into the casino parking garage in Greektown.
DETROIT (FOX 2) – Detroit Police are investigating a tragic story where two children froze to death as they were living in a van at Greektown Casino.
FOX 2’s Jessica Dupnack learned that police are investigating the tragic death of two children – a 9-year-old and a 2-year-old – at Detroit’s Greektown Casino.
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What we know:
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According to police, the family was living in the van and pulled into the casino around 1 a.m.
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By noon, police were called to the van and found the two children dead. It’s believed they froze to death.
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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.
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Police were called by the mother inside the van when she noticed one wasn’t breathing. Two children were ultimately found to not be breathing, Duda said.
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“(I feel) sad, very sad. Especially as a father. I just can’t imagine what the family is feeling. I wish it hadn’t have happened,” Duda said.
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He said early indications are that the children froze to death but that will need to be confirmed by an autopsy.
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“It’s incredibly fast,” Duda said about the length of time the kids were in the car and when they passed away.
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Three other children – ages 13, 8, and 4 – were physically fine but were checked out.
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A criminal investigation ‘has to happen’, Duda says, and Child Protective Services is involved in the case.
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The children’s mother was detained and has provided a statement but is not in custody at this time.
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“This was unnecessary. It didn’t have to happen this way,” Duda said.
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Duda said casino security did all it could and couldn’t have known, based on the way the van was parked on the 9th floor.
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What we don’t know:
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It’s unknown how long the family was living in the van or if they were regularly parked at the casino.
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It’s also not known if the children had any underlying health conditions that could have contributed to their deaths.
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Duda said it’s believed the car ran out of gas after pulling into the parking garage. But it could have been a mechanical failure.
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The exact cause of the car not starting isn’t known.
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What you can do:
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Duda is urging anyone who sees someone in need like this family to call police.
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“Ask that people be aware of those who are in need. If you see somebody who appears unsheltered and its subzero or cold weather, call 911,” Duda said.
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The captain says Detroit Police will transport and help anyone in need.
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The Source: Detroit Police Captain Nathan Duda spoke with FOX 2 to confirm details of this story.
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