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 children were reportedly homeless for around two months, parking in various casino parking structures, when her 9-year-old son and 2-year-old daughter died on February 10. Though it was widely believed the two children froze to death, a medical examiner told WXYZ that A’Millah Currie and Darnell Currie, Jr.’s deaths were from carbon monoxide toxicity.
The children’s deaths were ruled accidental. Despite this, Detroit police Chief Todd A. Bettison told WDIV that they are still investigating the case.
READ: Mom Gifted New Home Weeks After 2 Kids Freeze to Death in Van
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. 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]
