Two Homeless Children Freeze to Death -- Family Reached Out to City 3 Times

**401don** · February-11-25, 03:32 PM

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/ne...t/78411225007/

This is obviously a tragic story and we don't know all the details. Maybe the mother refused to go to a shelter due to past problems there. What I've wondered about is if casinos ever patrol their parking structures. I know there are cameras everywhere but they can't see what goes on everywhere or inside vehicles and I've never seen anyone patrolling a casino lot in all the times I've been there. It would make me feel more secure if I was walking out with a pile of cash also.

**stasu1213** · February-11-25, 04:30 PM

I wished that this family could had qualified to live in one of those tiny homes that was being built on the westside.. They would had been cramped but would had stayed warm. The shelters could be dangerous especially for women with children. Families like this one need help from the feds instead of illegal immigrants whom stayed in this country with free room, board, and given debit cards

**JBMcB** · February-12-25, 10:36 AM

Originally Posted by stasu1213

The shelters could be dangerous especially for women with children.

They have special shelters for women with children. In the winter local area churches set up rotating shelters. The one we volunteered at wouldn't turn away anyone. Even if they were at capacity they'd find a spot for them somewhere.

**Bong-Man** · February-12-25, 12:13 PM

Honestly, I have seen security constantly patrolling both MGM & Motor City parking structures every time I go there. They use cars with yellow beacons which are constantly lit up. However, I've never seen them exit their vehicles and approach or inspect any cars or even people. I've also seen DPD cars go through on rare occasions.

**softailrider** · February-12-25, 06:47 PM

Originally Posted by 401don

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/ne...t/78411225007/

This is obviously a tragic story and we don't know all the details. Maybe the mother refused to go to a shelter due to past problems there. What I've wondered about is if casinos ever patrol their parking structures. I know there are cameras everywhere but they can't see what goes on everywhere or inside vehicles and I've never seen anyone patrolling a casino lot in all the times I've been there. It would make me feel more secure if I was walking out with a pile of cash also.

Go ahead, walk out with a pile of cash then worry about it. Win first - it'll be a nice problem to have.

**Jimaz** · February-12-25, 08:12 PM

Do civilized countries ever see stories like this?

**Henry Whalley** · February-13-25, 04:21 AM

Originally Posted by Jimaz

Do civilized countries ever see stories like this?

Perhaps in lands where the U.S. pursues regime change, and only until it outlaws truth in journalism.

**Jimaz** · February-13-25, 07:21 AM

Originally Posted by Henry Whalley

Originally Posted by Jimaz

Do civilized countries ever see stories like this?

Perhaps in lands where the U.S. pursues regime change, and only until it outlaws truth in journalism.

Perhaps I should rephrase my question.

Are children allowed to freeze to death in civilized countries?

**Henry Whalley** · February-13-25, 07:38 AM

Originally Posted by Jimaz

...Are children allowed to freeze to death in civilized countries?

I hope not.

**Zacha341** · February-13-25, 07:51 AM

As a former gambler [13+ years ago] I noted that Greek Town casino, as it was then called, was the 'park-here-free-and-go-elsewhere-downtown' spot. This especially so as the main lot was not solely connected to the casino and the people mover handy. As gambling occurs in these joints 24/7 I can see a vehicle parking long-term especially on the upper floors or tucked away in a dark corner. Security might have guessed it was owned by a 'regular' [the daily gambler type[s] taking naps in their car between their gambling cycles].

Originally Posted by Bong-Man

Honestly, I have seen security constantly patrolling both MGM & Motor City parking structures every time I go there. They use cars with yellow beacons which are constantly lit up. However, I've never seen them exit their vehicles and approach or inspect any cars or even people. I've also seen DPD cars go through on rare occasions.

**stasu1213** · February-13-25, 07:51 AM

Originally Posted by JBMcB

They have special shelters for women with children. In the winter local area churches set up rotating shelters. The one we volunteered at wouldn't turn away anyone. Even if they were at capacity they'd find a spot for them somewhere.

The mother had said that she tried reaching out to the city for help. I wondered if anyone suggested that she go to a church who probably would had sought help for her and her children. I wished that this mother would had at least driven to a police station to seek help for her children then the children probably would had been taken away for their safety and hers.

**Zacha341** · February-13-25, 08:49 AM

This tragic outcomes speaks to the full break down of families as well as public and privately funded sheltering. Where was the extended family in this? Especially as children were involved?

Her mother/ father [grandparents], the father, or fathers and their parents? More will come forth as this is investigated. That hard question is what will become of her two surviving children?

**Henry Whalley** · February-13-25, 09:01 AM

Originally Posted by Zacha341

... Where was the extended family in this?

I heard she asked the children's father for help.

**Zacha341** · February-13-25, 09:06 AM

Mother speaks out re. loss of her two children:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKfVx480m1g

**Cincinnati_Kid** · February-13-25, 09:13 AM

Originally Posted by Zacha341

This tragic outcomes speaks to the break down of families as well as public and privately funded sheltering. Where was the extended family in this? Especially as children were involved?

Her mother/ father [their grandparents], the father, or fathers and their parents? More will come forth as this is investigated. That hard question is what will become of her two surviving children?

It also speaks of the dysfunctional family structure and mental health issues that are prevasive in a lot of families. This cycle needs to be broken. Even her own Mother was homeless and living in that car with those kids. Truly sad...

**jcole** · February-13-25, 09:20 AM

She said she tried the father, don't know if it was for all the kids or just a couple, and he said he was with a new woman and couldn't help. Grandma was apparently in the van with them, but that only came out last night when they interviewed the mom and grandma. She has been living in that van with them since last November; don't know if Greektown was a regular night parking spot but I'm assuming so. She said they went to school everyday and were fed etc, so I don't know if she was working and just couldn't find housing or if someone was giving her money to feed them. Maybe she has a mailing address and gets aid from the city or state. A lot of unanswered question but the bottom line is no baby should be dressed in a diaper and tshirt in a Michigan winter in a van with no heat and freeze to death. It's tragic and there is enough fault to be passed around to a lot of people.
Also, if she was gambling and just parked there and left the kids in a freezing van, the cameras in the elevators and casino will show her.

Originally Posted by Zacha341

This tragic outcomes speaks to the full break down of families as well as public and privately funded sheltering. Where was the extended family in this? Especially as children were involved?

Her mother/ father [grandparents], the father, or fathers and their parents? More will come forth as this is investigated. That hard question is what will become of her two surviving children?

**Zacha341** · February-13-25, 09:28 AM

^ Incredibly sad. Rents are very high now. More people are living together combining incomes to make it but must be careful if on public assistance as there can only be so much overlap funding. Even when funding is insufficient.

**ABetterDetroit** · February-13-25, 09:53 AM

This is a tragedy. I am going to assume that the adults in the vehicle had mental issues. It is not like single mothers without jobs that are living off government support in Detroit are rare. The resources exist, something went drastically wrong here.

**Henry Whalley** · February-13-25, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by ABetterDetroit

... something went drastically wrong here.

In city hall, heads will roll and nothing will change. Others needing shelter should go to Central United Methodist Church on Adams at Woodward.

**401don** · February-13-25, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by ABetterDetroit

This is a tragedy. I am going to assume that the adults in the vehicle had mental issues. It is not like single mothers without jobs that are living off government support in Detroit are rare. The resources exist, something went drastically wrong here.

Mother was working and kids were in school. Was the grandmother sitting in the van all day with the two year old? System and others failed here. Five kids age 9 and under. Fortunately there's a little less of that than there used to be.

**ABetterDetroit** · February-13-25, 12:15 PM

Originally Posted by Henry Whalley

In city hall, heads will roll and nothing will change. Others needing shelter should go to Central United Methodist Church on Adams at Woodward.

It gets so old when people keep blaming who they want to scapegoat instead of who actually is responsible. Get real for a change. You think it’s The City of Detroits job description to take care of every single residents personal well being without the funding? Why the hell is MDHHS whistling down the other side of the fence here? They have the purse strings, the resources and the social workers. Taking care of folks that are indigent is what they do.

https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs#

**Henry Whalley** · February-13-25, 01:46 PM

Originally Posted by ABetterDetroit

...It gets so old when people keep blaming who they want to scapegoat instead of who actually is responsible.

Duggan himself admitted that the city has an office that failed in its mission. I didn't just dream it up. The office most likely has an automated phone attendant, which means "Don't call us, Sucker. We'll call you."

**ABetterDetroit** · February-13-25, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by Henry Whalley

Duggan himself admitted that the city has an office that failed in its mission. I didn't just dream it up. The office most likely has an automated phone attendant, which implies "Don't call us, Sucker. We'll call you."

Maybe Birmingham and Rochester could share with Detroit their tips on how to handle the homeless...