Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Ruled Cause of Death for Two Children found in Detroit Casino Garage
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Detroit, MI – A somber revelation has emerged in the case of two young siblings discovered on Feb. 10 in a van within the Greektown Hollywood Casino parking garage. Darnell Currie Jr., 9, and 2-year-old A’Millah succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning, according to the Wayne County Medical Examiner’s Office. The autopsy results, released Wednesday, officially classified the deaths as accidental, shifting the initial focus away from hypothermia, which was suspected due to the frigid 17-degree temperatures recorded that night. This tragedy underscores the deadly, frequently enough unseen, threat of carbon monoxide.
The revelation of Darnell and A’Millah on Feb. 10 sent ripples of grief and concern throughout the Detroit community. The children were found inside a van where temperatures plummeted to 17 degrees around midnight. Autopsies were conducted by the Medical Examiner’s Office on Feb. 11, the day following the siblings’ discovery. Initially, detroit police officials considered hypothermia as the primary cause of death, given the extreme cold.
Further inquiry unveiled a heartbreaking reality: the children were residing in the van wiht their mother, Tateona Williams, along with two other siblings and their grandmother. Police reports indicate that the family had been living in the van for approximately two to three months. Both Darnell and A’Millah were pronounced dead at Children’s Hospital of Michigan, marking a devastating loss for the family and the community.
The Silent Killer: Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a perilous gas, notorious for being both odorless and colorless. The centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies common sources of CO as fumes produced by furnaces, kerosene heaters, vehicles “warmed up” in garages, stoves, lanterns, gas ranges, and portable generators, as well as the burning of charcoal and wood.Each year, approximately 430 people in the United States die from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning, and an estimated 50,000 individuals seek emergency room treatment due to CO exposure.
While carbon monoxide poisoning within a large parking garage is considered uncommon, Dr. Asha Shajahan, a Corewell Health primary care physician specializing in homeless medicine, offered insights into the conditions that could contribute to such a tragedy.
Depending on where you were in the parking garage, if you’re in a corner where there’s a wall, you’re surrounded by several walls, and you don’t have as much circulation going with the outside open air,” Shajahan said. “It is a possibility.
Dr. Shajahan emphasized the inherent danger of remaining in a running vehicle within an enclosed space, suggesting that others in the van could have been affected to varying degrees. She further stated:
I can’t speculate what happened that night, or what happened that day, or where they were in the parking garage… The ultimate take-home message is that thes children died because of unfortunate circumstances, and these are the social determinants of health.
Dr. Shajahan underscored homelessness as a critical social determinant of health, implying that nonetheless of the immediate medical cause of death, the absence of stable housing considerably contributed to the children’s demise.
It’s a different case to say,’how do you prevent this tragedy?’ versus ‘How do you prevent carbon monoxide poisoning?’ There are several different social determinants of health … and I think that this is the case where, regrettably, the children were not able to get their basic needs met of having a home.
A Family’s Plea for Help
Tateona Williams, the mother of Darnell and A’Millah, reported discovering her son Darnell was not breathing around noon on Feb. 10. She has stated that she had sought assistance with housing on multiple occasions prior to the tragedy, highlighting the family’s struggle to find stable shelter.
I’ve been asking for help,” Williams told WXYZ-TV (Channel 7) shortly after her kids’ deaths. “I feel like it wasn’t their time. I did everything I was supposed to do.
Investigation and Response
The Detroit Police Department has acknowledged receiving the medical examiner’s autopsy results and has stated that their investigation is ongoing. Police Chief Todd Bettison released a statement on Wednesday, saying:
We will continue investigating the facts and circumstances of the case and submit our findings to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office.
In response to the tragedy, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan has pledged to implement changes to the city’s homelessness services. A review of city records confirmed that williams had contacted Detroit’s shelter intake system at least three times in recent months, with the most recent contact occurring in November 2024. While the family was offered temporary shelter in December 2023, they apparently did not utilize it. Subsequent attempts by the city’s Coordinated Assessment Model to contact Williams in March, April, and May of the previous year were unsuccessful.
Mayor Duggan has announced that the city will now require in-person visits by outreach workers in cases involving underage children facing imminent housing loss. Additionally,the city plans to double the number of drop-in shelter beds available for immediate use without a referral. A report generated in the wake of the children’s deaths outlines seven recommendations for improving shelter access in Detroit. Duggan’s office declined to comment further on Wednesday.
Currently, the Detroit Rescue Mission has provided Williams’ family with rent-free housing for one year, offering a measure of stability in the wake of unimaginable loss.
A Recurring Tragedy
This is not the first instance of carbon monoxide poisoning occurring in a Detroit parking structure. In March 2022, Kellye Canty, 25, and her 10-month-old son, Kanan, also of Detroit, died of suspected carbon monoxide poisoning inside a car at a parking garage at Harper Hospital while her mother had an appointment. These incidents underscore the potential dangers of carbon monoxide exposure, notably in enclosed spaces, and highlight the need for increased awareness and preventative measures.
The deaths of Darnell Currie Jr. and A’Millah serve as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by families experiencing homelessness and the critical need for accessible and effective support systems. The tragedy has ignited a renewed call for action to address the systemic issues contributing to homelessness and to prevent future occurrences of such devastating loss.
Detroit Tragedy: Unmasking the Silent Killer—Carbon Monoxide Poisoning and the Crisis of Homelessness
Over 400 Americans die each year from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning, a largely preventable cause of death often overlooked. How can we better understand this silent killer, and what crucial steps need to be taken to prevent future tragedies like the recent deaths of two young children in a Detroit casino garage?
Interviewer: Dr. Anya Sharma, a leading expert in public health and environmental toxicology, welcome to World Today News. The recent tragedy in Detroit,where two young children perished from carbon monoxide poisoning while living in their family’s van,has understandably shaken the community. Can you shed some light on the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning, especially in less obvious settings such as parking garages?
Dr. Sharma: Thank you for having me. The Detroit case tragically highlights the often-unseen threat of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. While many associate CO with faulty furnaces or gas appliances, its presence in seemingly safe environments like parking garages emphasizes the importance of understanding its insidious nature. CO is odorless, colorless, and tasteless, making it virtually undetectable without specialized equipment. In the case of the children in the van, the vehicle’s exhaust fumes likely seeped into the enclosed space, creating a deadly concentration of CO. The confined area of the garage, possibly with limited ventilation, exacerbated the risk. These circumstances exemplify the need for public awareness and improved safety regulations to prevent similar occurrences.
Interviewer: The article mentions hypothermia initially being suspected as the cause of death. How can we differentiate between carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms and those of hypothermia, especially in situations with limited access to medical examination?
Dr. Sharma: Differentiating between hypothermia and carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms can be challenging,particularly in initial assessments. Hypothermia presents with shivering, slurred speech, confusion, and a slow heart rate. Though, carbon monoxide poisoning mimics many flu-like symptoms, including headache, dizziness, nausea, and weakness—symptoms that can overlap substantially with hypothermia, especially in the initial stages. In both cases, the victims could appear lethargic or unresponsive. The critical difference often lies in the absence of the characteristic cold skin and low body temperature associated with hypothermia in CO poisoning. Given this overlap, immediate medical attention and CO testing are crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Interviewer: The detroit tragedy also starkly highlights the devastating impact of homelessness on families. How does the lack of stable housing increase the risk of both hypothermia and carbon monoxide poisoning?
Dr. Sharma: homelessness significantly amplifies the risks of both hypothermia and carbon monoxide poisoning. Individuals without stable housing, living in cars, or temporary shelters, often rely on unreliable heating sources, increasing CO exposure. Their limited access to safe and appropriate shelter leaves them vulnerable to extreme temperatures, heightening the danger of hypothermia. Homelessness is a complex social determinant of health that often acts as a multiplier for environmental dangers. Such individuals frequently enough face multiple stressors and health risks which increase their overall vulnerability.
Interviewer: Beyond the immediate risk of CO poisoning,what are the long-term health effects of even lower-level exposure,especially among children?
Dr. Sharma: Exposure to even low levels of carbon monoxide can result in chronic health problems, especially among children whose bodies are still developing. Long-term effects can include neurobehavioral changes, cardiovascular problems, and respiratory issues. It’s worth emphasizing that these long-term health consequences can manifest slowly, making the assessment and identification of exposure a challenge. The best approach is prevention through education and proactive safety measures.
Interviewer: What measures can be implemented to mitigate the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, especially in vulnerable communities?
Dr. sharma: Several key steps are crucial:
Regular inspection and maintenance of heating systems: This is particularly critically important for vulnerable communities, frequently enough with older housing stock.
CO detectors in all homes and shelters: Prompt detection is essential for early intervention.
Public education campaigns: Clear and accessible information on CO poisoning prevention, recognition of symptoms, and safe practices needs to be widespread.
Addressing homelessness: Stable housing is the most effective way to mitigate the risks associated with extreme weather and exposure to environmental toxins.
Increased access to affordable healthcare: Timely diagnosis and treatment are essential in managing both the acute and chronic consequences of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Interviewer: The article notes that the city is implementing changes to its services after the tragedy. What other policy recommendations would you propose for preventing such tragedies and supporting at-risk populations?
Dr. Sharma: Beyond increased shelter resources, a multifaceted, collaborative approach is crucial. It should involve collaboration across multiple sectors, including:
Strengthening social safety nets: Financial aid, support services, and early-intervention programs can prevent families from becoming homeless.
Expanding affordable housing initiatives: This is a foundational requirement that can reduce the overall environmental vulnerability of at-risk communities.
Better integration of public health initiatives with social work services: A coordinated effort to identify and support at-risk populations is essential.
Investing in community outreach programs: Proactive strategies to reach those who may not access services can make a significant difference.
Interviewer: Dr. Sharma, thank you for this insightful and deeply concerning discussion. Your expertise has provided valuable information on minimizing this tragedy.
Final Thoughts: The deaths of Darnell and A’Millah are a wake-up call. We need proactive measures, not just reactive responses, to address both the immediate dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and the broader social issues that contribute to homelessness. Let’s discuss this in the comments section—what actions do you* think are needed to prevent future tragedies? Share your thoughts on social media using #COsafety #HomelessnessPrevention.