Children Freeze to Death in Detroit Parking Garage

Two young children, ages 2 and 9, tragically froze to death after their family's van ran out of gas in the parking garage of the Hollywood Casino Hotel in Greektown, Detroit. The family, experiencing homelessness, had been living in the van for several months and parked at casinos for safety and access to restrooms. Despite the mother's previous outreach for housing assistance from Detroit city officials, no emergency intervention was deemed necessary, and the family did not secure shelter. The mother discovered her children unresponsive and, with the help of a friend, attempted to get them to a hospital where they were pronounced dead. The incident, which occurred with temperatures as low as 12 degrees Fahrenheit, is under investigation, with potential charges pending. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan has called for a review of the city's response to homelessness to prevent such tragedies in the future.