DETROIT (WXYZ) – Police believe two young children froze to death after a homeless family of six slept in their van in a Detroit casino’s parking garage.
Police say a mother and her five children were sleeping in a van in a parking garage at the Hollywood Casino Hotel in Detroit. The family, whom police described as homeless and living out of the van, pulled into the parking garage around 1 a.m. Monday before the vehicle ran out of gas.
Police say around noon, the mother noticed one of her children, a 9-year-old boy, wasn’t breathing. She called a family friend to take them to the hospital.
While they were at the hospital, the children’s grandmother called saying another child, a 2-year-old girl, wasn’t breathing. The friend returned and took the little girl to the hospital, as well.
Both the 9-year-old and 2-year-old were pronounced dead at the hospital.
The other three siblings were evaluated and treated at the hospital. They were listed in stable condition, as of Monday afternoon.
“Very sad. Especially as a father. I just can’t imagine what the family is feeling. I wish it wouldn’t have happened,” said Detroit Police Capt. Nathan Duda.
The children’s causes of death have not been determined, but police suspect they may have frozen to death.
The case is being investigated as a criminal incident. The children’s mother was detained and has provided statements to detectives. Despite the location, police say the incident was not related to gambling.
“I don’t think anyone really wants to think about that at the moment with the two children passed, but the reality is that the circumstances do have to be examined. We have to figure out how to go forward,” Duda said.
Police are reminding the public of warming centers available in Detroit.
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