News Summary
A heartbreaking incident in Detroit witnessed the deaths of two young children, Darnell and A’Millah Currie, found unresponsive in a parked van where their family had been living due to homelessness. The medical examiner confirmed the cause of death as accidental carbon monoxide toxicity after the family vehicle ran out of gas during subzero temperatures. Despite multiple outreach attempts to city services requesting support for homelessness, the family did not receive assistance, raising urgent concerns about the adequacy of Detroit’s homeless response system.
Detroit – Two young children, 9-year-old Darnell Currie Jr. and 2-year-old A’Millah Currie, were found dead in a parked van at the Hollywood Casino Hotel’s parking garage on February 10, 2025. Tragically, the family had been living in the van for approximately two to three months due to homelessness. They had arrived at the casino parking garage in the early hours of the morning, seeking shelter.
The incident occurred when the family’s van ran out of gas, leaving them without heat in subfreezing temperatures. At around noon on the day of the tragedy, the children’s mother, Tateona Williams, discovered Darnell was unresponsive and contacted a family member for help. When the family member arrived, they found A’Millah also unresponsive. Both children were subsequently transported to the Children’s Hospital of Michigan, where they were pronounced dead.
Initially suspected to have perished from hypothermia, the medical examiner later confirmed the cause of death as accidental carbon monoxide toxicity. Reports indicate that temperatures the night of the incident dropped to around 17 degrees Fahrenheit. Three additional children, aged 11, 9, and 4, were present in the van as well. They were treated and subsequently released from the hospital.
The family had a documented history of homelessness, and records indicate that Williams had reached out to the city’s homeless outreach services multiple times throughout late 2023 and 2024 without receiving adequate support. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan revealed that Williams contacted the city’s homeless response team on November 25, 2023, expressing their need for assistance, yet no outreach worker was dispatched to provide help.
In response to this tragic event, the city has been urged to evaluate its homeless response system and to improve the available services for families experiencing homelessness. Local organizations have raised awareness about the necessity of providing resources to homeless populations and have emphasized the importance of encouraging individuals to seek help.
This heartbreaking incident has heightened public awareness regarding the dangers of homelessness, particularly during extreme weather conditions. The plight of families like the Curries demonstrates the urgent need for effective programs and outreach efforts to assist those in need.
As discussions around the city’s inadequate response to homelessness grow, community leaders and organizations continue to advocate for systemic changes that could prevent future tragedies. It is clear that immediate action is required to address the accessibility of shelters and services for families facing homelessness, particularly during harsh weather conditions.
The deaths of Darnell and A’Millah Currie have shed light on the ongoing issue of homelessness in Detroit, focusing attention on the critical support required to save vulnerable lives. The community mourns the loss of these children and stands united in the call for reform, hoping to prevent such a tragedy from happening again in the future.
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Additional Resources
- Detroit News
- Google Search: Detroit homelessness
- WXYZ News
- Google Scholar: Detroit homelessness issues
- Fox 2 Detroit
- Encyclopedia Britannica: homelessness in Detroit
- Hindustan Times
- Google News: Detroit casinos
- TV20 Detroit
Author: STAFF HERE DETROITMI WRITER
DETROIT STAFF WRITER The DETROIT STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDetroitMI.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Detroit, Wayne County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Movement Electronic Music Festival, Detroit Grand Prix, and America's Thanksgiving Parade. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Detroit Regional Chamber and Focus HOPE, plus leading businesses in automotive and healthcare that power the local economy such as General Motors, Ford Motor Company, and Henry Ford Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
