Blog

Detroit To Mourn Kids Who Likely Froze To Death in Casino Parking Garage

Funeral services are scheduled for later this week for the two children who reportedly succumbed to freezing in a garage at a Detroit casino. 

Last week, the children and other relatives were resting in a van parked on the ninth floor of the Greektown parking garage at Hollywood Casino. The engine ceased functioning overnight and the van became quite chilly. 

A nine-year-old boy and a two-year-old girl ceased to breathe. A family friend took both of them to the Children’s Hospital of Michigan. They were declared deceased at the hospital. 

All three of the surviving children in the van needed hospital care. 

The services for both children are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Thursday at Triumph Church in Detroit. The McFall Brothers Funeral Home will offer their services for free.

"As the community mourns this heartbreaking loss, the overwhelming outpouring of love and support deeply touches the family. At this time, they kindly request privacy as they navigate this unimaginable grief,” the funeral home said in a recent statement.

The event started after the family was removed from their home. As reported by the Detroit Free Press, the mother, her four kids, their grandmother, and the grandmother’s child started residing in the van. 

Months prior to the tragedy, the 29-year-old woman reached out to Detroit’s homeless assistance team in November. She reached out to the city's homeless team twice prior to November. No provisions were established to secure housing or even shelter for the family. The woman reached out to several shelters, yet the staff repeatedly informed her that there were no rooms available. 

Detroit Deputy Mayor Melia Howard stated that city officials are currently working to secure housing for the family.

"We are hopeful that we will have them settled into a safe and comfortable home by this weekend,” Howard said in a statement that was released on Thursday.

City Evaluating Event 

Detroit leaders are examining the events that occurred and will work to prevent a similar situation from happening again. 

A report is anticipated by the month's conclusion. 

However, the tragedy has garnered significant attention, sparked outrage, and has even emerged as a topic in the city's mayoral election. 

Applicant Proposes Answers 

A candidate for mayor, Saunteel Jenkins, recently stated on the BridgeDetroit website, “I’m aware we’re all wondering, ‘How did this occur?’” There’s no room for assigning blame now; it’s the moment to collectively seek solutions.

"That mom moved from casino garage to casino garage while living in the car for months to keep her five children safe. They reached out three times to the city of Detroit for help and there were no solutions offered. That is unacceptable on every level,” Jenkins said.

Numerous poor practices exist. She highlights that Detroit’s homeless hotline closes at 6 p.m. on weekdays and only functions for three hours on weekends. “Jenkins stated that we must promptly establish a 24/7 hotline in the hazardous winter months.” 

However, she also warns that there are just "not enough beds on most nights to accommodate one person, much less a family of six." 

“A mother of five should not have to make the ungodly choice of a shelter bed for one night (if available) or having enough gas to sleep overnight in a parking garage in the dead of winter,” Jenkins said.

Among the steps Jenkins says that can be taken are:

• Hire more outreach workers to guide those without housing to shelters and services.
• Set up more beds for homeless families and provide more services for those with emotional illness.
• More temporary housing needs to open so families can remain together and children can go to school until the household finds a permanent home.
• More affordable housing is needed in the long term, too.

"My heart breaks for this mother and the trauma she has faced,” Jenkins said. “Let’s make sure she isn’t further traumatized by a continued lack of support and services.”