Freezing Temperatures Claim Two Children in Detroit Casino Parking Lot

In a tragic story highlighting the risks associated with freezing weather and homelessness, two children were found dead in a van at the Hollywood Casino Hotel at Greektown parking garage in Detroit. According to police, the kids, aged 9 and 2, froze to death after spending the night in the vehicle that had run out of gas.

Tragedy Struck Without Warning

The Detroit Police Department reported that the family had parked their van on the ninth floor of the garage around 1 a.m. on Monday. The mother explained that due to homelessness, they had no other place to seek shelter. Their five children spent the night in the vehicle, which unfortunately offered little protection against the freezing temperatures outside.

Tragedy struck at noon as the mother discovered that her 9-year-old son was unresponsive. She immediately called a friend who took the child to the Children’s Hospital of Michigan. As the hospital staff were trying to save the boy, the grandmother realized that the 2-year-old girl was also unresponsive and arranged emergency transport. Sadly, both children were pronounced dead upon arrival.

Especially as a father, I just can’t imagine what the family is feeling. I wish it wouldn’t have happened.

Nathan Duda, Detroit Police Captain 

Police suspect that both children succumbed to hypothermia. The remaining three kids were also taken to the hospital for further check-ups and are reportedly stable. The mother has been detained and is cooperating with authorities while police investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragedy as a potential criminal incident.

Casino Parking Lots Are No Place for Children

While this incident did not involve actual gambling, law enforcement officials have drawn attention to a disturbing pattern of parents abandoning children in casino parking lots. In January, a mother of two left her children inside a parked car at Hollywood Casino Toledo in Ohio. The vehicle was not running, and the temperature was a bone-chilling 26°F (-3°C). Fortunately, security officers discovered the children on time, and their mother was charged with child endangerment.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) has reported similar cases, even launching the “Don’t Gamble with Kids” campaign to raise awareness. Despite the authority’s efforts, incidents persist. In another tragic example, a mother in North Carolina locked her daughters in a car on a 95°F (35°C) day while she gambled at a sweepstakes venue. The two young girls succumbed to heat exposure.

As Detroit mourns the two young lives lost, the incident serves as a grim reminder of the hardships facing vulnerable families during the winter months. Detroit city officials remind struggling residents to use the warming centers and shelters, hopefully preventing similar tragedies. Local homeless shelter representatives note that the facilities have extra beds available, ensuring vulnerable people can have a place to get a meal and stay warm.