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.
The mother inside the van along with five children, noticed that one of the kids wasn't breathing. The godmother came and picked up the children, transporting them to the hospital, after which Detroit police were called. It's believed that two of them froze to death.
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.
The children, ranging in age from 2 to 13 years old, were living inside the van.
"(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.
The family did have an address on the city's east side, but it appears they have not lived there for awhile. The mother and her children are suspected of living in the van for at least the past couple months.
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 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.
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