Mom's Whose Kids Died of Hypothermia Says Father Didn’t Help

Source: Reach Media / 7 News Detroit⁣ / Reach Media / 7 News Detroit⁣

Tateona Williams, a 29-year-old Detroit mother, is devastated after losing her two young children, Darnell Jr. and Amillah, who died after spending the night in a van in a casino parking garage. Williams, who is homeless, kept the vehicle running overnight to keep her children warm, but by morning, the car had run out of gas, and the battery had died. It wasn’t until she tried to wake her 9-year-old son, Darnell Jr., that she realized he had already passed. When she saw “stuff coming out of his mouth,” she rushed both children to the hospital, but they were later pronounced dead. Police are investigating, and while hypothermia is suspected, Williams mentioned she was told carbon monoxide could have been involved.

Text “RICKEY” to 71007 to join the Rickey Smiley Morning Show mobile club for exclusive news. (Terms and conditions).

Williams, who had been trying to secure housing, had reached out to the city for help, but she claims she received no assistance. “I kept calling. I called out of state, cities, different states. I asked Detroit for help,” she said. “But it took two [of] my kids to die for them to want to help.”

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK. FOLLOW US ON TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM. SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE. 

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD OUR APP AND TAKE US WITH YOU ANYWHERE!

In an emotional interview, the children’s father, Darnell Currie Sr., shared the heartbreaking moment when he learned of their deaths. “I went to the gym. As soon as I got on a treadmill, she called saying ‘can I make it to the hospital right now. They gone,'” said Darnell. “I was hoping it was a sick joke, but it wasn’t.” He also recalled a prior conversation with Williams when she asked him for help: “She just asked can I get ’em for a couple days, but I told her I’m working and all that and I’m out here. We’re not close to each other. So, I couldn’t.”

Williams had been living in her car with her four children, her mother, and two teenage siblings for three months, and she reached out to Darnell, asking if he could take their children for a few days, but he was unable to help due to the distance. Darnell, who lives in Novi, last saw his children about a month ago and cherishes the Facetime calls they shared. “It don’t even matter to me. Can’t get them back, so it’s whatever,” he said.

Related Article: Trump Administration Rescinds Freeze on Federal Grants and Loans

Related Article: ‘Racist In A Systemic Way’: How Vulnerability Surveys Keep Black People Homeless

While the investigation into the deaths continues, Mayor Mike Duggan confirmed that Williams had reached out to the city’s homeless response team multiple times, but was told there were no available beds. Tateona and her mother are now staying at a shelter, and while Williams focuses on her surviving children, she reflects on the heartbreaking challenges she faced in trying to protect her family.

HEAD BACK TO THE RICKEYSMILEYMORNINGSHOW.COM HOMEPAGE