Michigan officials announced on Wednesday that two children who died in a parking garage last month died from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Tateona Williams and her four kids were said to be without a home for approximately two months, living in different casino parking lots. Unfortunately, on February 10, her 9-year-old son and 2-year-old daughter passed away. While many believed the children died from freezing, a medical examiner revealed that A’Millah Currie and Darnell Currie, Jr. actually died from inhaling carbon monoxide.
The tragic deaths of the children were deemed accidental. Despite this conclusion, Detroit police Chief Todd A. Bettison mentioned in an interview with WDIV that the incident is still under investigation.
READ: Mom Gifted New Home Weeks After 2 Kids Freeze to Death in Van
It was reported that the children, along with their mother, spent the night in a van driven by Williams. The van was parked on the ninth floor of a parking garage at Hollywood Casino at Greektown. Detroit police Captain Nathan Duda mentioned that the vehicle ran out of gas before Williams called a family member when she noticed her son was unresponsive.
Williams’ late son reportedly had severe asthma. Williams recalled being at the hospital with her son when her mother rushed her 2-year-old daughter to the hospital, as she was also not breathing.
Williams and her children were reportedly unhoused and living in their van. Mayor Mike Duggan confirmed that Williams called the city for help in November. At that time, she informed the city that she and her children were staying with family and would be homeless soon.
Duggar said the family never called the city’s homeless response team after that — and the team never followed up.
A GoFundMe for Williams has raised more than $50,000. Earlier this month, an organization gifted Williams with a house for free for a year.
No criminal charges have been filed in this case.
[Feature Photo: WXYZ video screenshot]
