2 Homeless Children Freeze to Death in Van Parked in Casino Garage
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Two children who were found dead in a van parked at a Michigan casino on Monday possibly froze to death.

WDIV reported that a 9-year-old boy, a 2-year-old girl, and their three siblings, ages 11, 9, and 4, spent the night in the van with their mother, who drove to the ninth floor of a parking garage at Hollywood Casino at Greektown. Detroit police Captain Nathan Duda said the vehicle ran out of gas at some point before the mother called a family member about her 9-year-old son, who was not breathing.

The family member arrived at the parking deck and realized the 2-year-old girl was also not breathing. The two children were taken to the hospital, where they were pronounced dead.

According to The Detroit News, police are investigating their deaths as a criminal matter as they determine whether someone in the van went into the casino or hotel between 1 a.m. and noon on Monday.

Duda said it is believed the two children froze to death. However, an autopsy is pending.

The three surviving children were evaluated and expected to be OK. Child Protective Services is involved as the investigation continues.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said the city last contacted the family in November. At the time, there were reportedly concerns the family would lose their housing — though no resolution was reached.

According to WJBK, Duggan noted that there is a family shelter miles from where the two children froze to death.

Duda said the mother was detained but she has not been charged, according to The Detroit News.

“I don’t think anyone really wants to think about that at the moment with two children passed, but the reality is that the circumstances do have to be examined,” he said.

[Feature Photo: Google Maps]

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