Tragic Incident in Detroit Highlights the City’s Homeless Crisis

Police in Detroit reported a devastating incident involving two homeless children who froze to death while sleeping in a van with their family. This tragedy occurred on a frigid Monday night, prompting urgent conversations regarding the city’s homeless services.

The victims, a 2-year-old girl and a 9-year-old boy, lost their lives after their family parked the van on the ninth floor of the Greektown Casino’s parking structure. Seven family members were sharing the limited space of the van, including the two children, their mother, their two siblings, and their grandmother.

According to the Detroit Police Department, the van experienced mechanical issues during the night or possibly ran out of gas, leaving the family without heat. Outside temperatures dipped to the low to mid-teens, creating a perilous situation for the occupants. The mother attempted to call a family friend for assistance, but the situation took a tragic turn.

At around noon on the following day, the mother discovered that her 9-year-old son was unresponsive and not breathing. A family friend rushed him to the hospital, but tragically, reports soon followed that the 2-year-old girl was also found without a pulse.

Interim Police Chief Todd Bettison addressed the media, stating that both children succumbed to hypothermia. He confirmed that the Wayne County Medical Examiner’s Office would conduct further investigations to ascertain the precise cause of death.

A Family in Crisis

This heartbreaking story does not just reflect the tragic loss of two young lives. It highlights the ongoing issues surrounding homelessness in Detroit. The family had previously reached out to the city’s homeless services on three occasions, the last being in November.

Mayor Mike Duggan emphasized the urgency of the situation during a press briefing. He noted that, despite the family’s attempts to secure assistance, no viable solution was reached during their last conversation with the homeless response team. “This was a terrible day for Detroit,” he stated solemnly.

The mayor further explained that the family did not follow up with the response team after their last call in November, which led to a tragic lapse in outreach. “For whatever reason, this wasn’t deemed an emergency,” Duggan lamented.

Homeless Services Under Scrutiny

While city officials strive to address homelessness in Detroit, Mayor Duggan revealed that beds at a nearby shelter remained available at the time of the incident. “It brings home the point that having services available doesn’t mean much if residents who need them don’t know how to access them,