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.
What we know:
According to police, the family was living in the van and pulled into the casino around 1 a.m.
By noon, police were called to the van and found the two children dead. It’s believed they froze to death.
DPD: Mother has been detained after 2 children freeze to death in van at Casino
According to police, the family was living in the van and pulled into the casino around 1 a.m.
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.
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.
“(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.
He said early indications are that the children froze to death but that will need to be confirmed by an autopsy.
“It’s incredibly fast,” Duda said about the length of time the kids were in the car and when they passed away.
Three other children – ages 13, 8, and 4 – were physically fine but were checked out.
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.
“This was unnecessary. It didn’t have to happen this way,” Duda said.
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.
What we don’t know:
It’s unknown how long the family was living in the van or if they were regularly parked at the casino.
It’s also not known if the children had any underlying health conditions that could have contributed to their deaths.
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.
The exact cause of the car not starting isn’t known.
What you can do:
Duda is urging anyone who sees someone in need like this family to call police.
“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.
The captain says Detroit Police will transport and help anyone in need.
The Source: Detroit Police Captain Nathan Duda spoke with FOX 2 to confirm details of this story.
