In February 2025, Tateona Williams and her children lived in a van in Detroit, just trying to survive in the bitter winter cold. Sadly, it now has been revealed that two of the children died from carbon monoxide poisoning. Williams reportedly found 9-year-old Darnell Currie Jr. and 2-year-old A’Millah Currie dead after spending the night inside the van in frigid temperatures on February 10 of that year. The case led to widespread criticism and speculation about what Williams could have done better to care for her kids.
According to court documents obtained by The Detroit News, Williams, 29, lived in a Chrysler Town & Country van with her children and her mother. The family survived in deplorable conditions, living amid trash and human feces. Williams’ children reportedly died after the van was parked for the night in the Greektown Casino parking garage and the vehicle was left running. Williams, her mother, and three other children sleeping in the van that night survived.
Police noted in the report that the children both had head lice when they arrived at the hospital as well as severely decayed teeth. Despite the frigid temperatures, A’Millah wore only a T-shirt and a soiled diaper. Darnell wore a T-shirt and sweatpants.
The children did not have proper attire for the frigid temperatures, and initially, investigators believed they died from hypothermia, The News reported. An autopsy revealed carbon monoxide poisoning.
The children attended Ralph J. Bunche Elementary School in Ecorse, but school officials noted dozens of absences. Williams reportedly never asked for help from the district’s social services system. The report also states that Williams failed to reach out to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services specialist assigned to help her family.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy ultimately opted not to press charges against the mother, yet many still worry about the future of her surviving kids. Although the family was gifted a free home for a year by the city of Detroit after the two children died, that time is now up.
A’Millah and Darnell’s father, Darnell Currie Sr., told police he didn’t know anything about the children’s living conditions and only learned of their deaths when he got called to the hospital.
Following her children’s deaths, Williams’ cousin created a GoFundMe account that raised more than $50,000.
“So before you judge, pray for her and her strength. Then look in the mirror because she ain’t do nothing anyone else would not have done. She loved, protected, and did all she could to keep her babies safe…ON HER OWN!” Javeina M. wrote on the page. “Her only fault was her PRIDE and that’s gut-blowing because as a family if we knew we would have tried to help in some way Although everyone has it, you just have to learn to have it with the right people during the right situations.
“My bby is broken right now all because she had too much pride to ask for help SHE LOVES HER BABIES and never expected this outcome Please show her some grace as God has you,” she added.
Everyone deserves forgiveness and a fresh start. Hopefully, Williams will change her life for the better. Her children didn’t ask to be born, but they deserve to receive proper care.
