DETROIT (WXYZ) — Two children were found dead inside a parked vehicle at the Hollywood Casino Hotel at Greektown parking garage in downtown Detroit Monday afternoon, police said.
The Detroit Police Department says a family pulled into the casino parking garage on around 1 a.m. They were parked on the ninth floor in a van that ran out of gas.
"They said that they were unsheltered and they didn't have a residence to go to," Detroit Police Capt. Nathan Duda said.
According to police, five children were sleeping in the van. Around noon, police said the mother noticed that one of her kids, a 9-year-old boy, wasn't breathing. She then called a friend to take him to the Children's Hospital of Michigan.
While they were at the hospital, police said the grandmother noticed that another child, a 2-year-old girl, was also not breathing. The friend then returned and took the other child to the hospital as well.
Both kids were pronounced dead at the hospital.
"Very sad. Especially as a father, I just can't imagine what the family is feeling. I wish it wouldn't have happened," Duda said.
The other three children were treated and evaluated at the hospital. They were listed in stable condition Monday afternoon. The cause of deaths have not yet been determined, but police believe they froze to death.
The incident was not related to gambling, according to police.
The mother was detained and has provided statements to detectives, who are investigating the incident as a criminal incident.
"I don't think anyone really wants to think about that at the moment with the two children passed, but the reality is that the circumstances do have to be examined. We have to figure out how to go forward," Duda said.
Police are reminding the public of warning centers available in the city of Detroit. Warming Center information can be found on the city's website.
City of Detroit Homelessness Solutions Director Terra Linzner says city shelters have additional beds ready for residents in need.
"We continue to try to provide as many resources as possible. Really just to try to prevent situations like this," Linzner said.
"There's actually respite centers or relief centers all across the city. There are so many resources available and these resources will keep families together... This was unnecessary. It didn't have to happen this way," Duda said.
Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries is also reminding residents that during these cold winter months, their shelters can be used by anyone. You can head to their website to learn more.
"We’ve had quite a few cold snaps and it’s very dangerous. You can’t sustain being outside in these types of cold temperatures, so that’s why it’s so important people know they can come get a meal, they can get a place over their heads, they can get warm," Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries director of communications Chiara Clayton said.
**Editor's note: A previous version of this article had a different timeline of events. Police later clarified the timing of the incident and we corrected the story accordingly.
