A homeless mother in Michigan whose two children froze to death last month has reportedly been gifted a new home.
Tateona Williams and her four children were reportedly homeless for around two months and were parking in various casino parking structures when her 9-year-old son and 2-year-old daughter died of hypothermia. WWJ-TV reported that Williams had been living in a shelter since then, but the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries provided her with a home for free for a year.
The organization and the city of Detroit worked together to furnish the home and provide food.
“I love the house. I think it’s wonderful. I like it and I think it’s wonderful,” Williams told WWJ-TV. “It actually means a lot. It’s a lot I’m going through right now, so this makes me happy because I was sad today. I have been having a rough day all day today.”
According to reports, the children spent the night in the van with Williams, 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.
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. No criminal charges have been filed in this case.
According to WDIV, the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries will conduct regular check-ins with Williams to create a long-term housing plan.
[Feature Photo: WXYZ video screengrab]
