Two Homeless Children Die in Freezing Detroit Van After Shelter Requests Go Unanswered

A 9-year-old boy and 2-year-old girl died after their family’s van ran out of gas in a casino parking garage, despite previous attempts to seek help from city services.

The children, ages 9 and 2, were living in a van with their mother, three siblings, and grandmother when the vehicle stopped running in subfreezing temperatures.
The family had contacted Detroit's homeless response team multiple times, most recently in November, but no resolution was reached, and the city did not follow up.
Preliminary police findings suggest the children died from hypothermia, though official causes of death are pending the medical examiner's report.
The family had been using casino parking garages for safety and access to restrooms after becoming homeless several months ago.
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan has called for a review of the city's homeless services, acknowledging that shelter beds were available nearby but inaccessible to the family.

UPI

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