Additional Coverage:
- Mom of 2 children who froze to death sleeping in van had begged for help saying she ‘tried her best’ (themirror.com)
Detroit, MI – A Detroit mother is grieving the loss of two young children who died from suspected hypothermia after spending a night in a freezing van. Tateona Williams and her four children had been living in the van for three months.
Williams awoke to find her two-year-old and nine-year-old unresponsive. They were later pronounced dead at a local hospital. The family’s van had reportedly run out of gas overnight amidst freezing temperatures.
A heartbroken Williams expressed her devastation, saying she tried her best to provide for her family. She described trying to secure hotel rooms, but ultimately couldn’t manage the cost. The family had parked in a casino parking garage the night of the tragedy.
Williams recounted her desperate attempts to revive her nine-year-old with CPR. She also found her two-year-old unresponsive.
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan confirmed that Williams had contacted the city’s homeless response team in November. However, there appears to be no record of follow-up from either Williams or the city.
Mayor Duggan has called for a review of the city’s homeless services. Williams’ two surviving children are currently staying with family, and she is at a homeless shelter. She urged others struggling with homelessness to seek help, hoping to prevent similar tragedies.