3 out of 7 Children Die in Detroit Fire,moms still nowhere to be seen!!

[Whisper]

DETROIT(WXYZ)-
Three young children were killed when a fire raced through a home on Detroit's west side Tuesday night.

It happened at a home on Bangor and Herbert.

7 children were trapped inside the home when the blaze ignited. Three of the children jumped out the window to the arms of waiting neighbors and strangers below. A baby girl was tossed out and safely caught.

The victims were two girls and a boy, ages 3, 4 and 5.

Friends say the family had just recently moved into the home and that their gas had been just been cut off. Firefighters believe the deadly blaze may have been started by a faulty heater.
http://www.wxyz.com/news/story/3-Children-Die-in-Detroit-Fire/Qn0DziOapEa5jGFkLUGohA.cspx Three Children Die in Detroit Fire

DETROIT -
Three children die and four others had to fight through the flames to survive. Three boys jumped from the second story to save their lives. An infant was tossed out a window.

A baby girl and an eight-year-old boy are in critical condition, and a three-year-old, a four-year-old and a five-year-old have passed away.

Family members and friends are sick with grief. They gathered outside Children's Hospital praying and consoling each other during this horrific time.

Detroit firefighters received a call at seven o'clock Tuesday night of a house fire on the city's west side. Seven children were trapped inside, we're told all of them under the age of ten.

Three of the little boys jumped from a window. A baby girl was tossed from the window, and brave, young men caught all of their falls from the ground. However, three of the little ones didn't make it.

Fire investigators are trying to figure out what started this deadly blaze. One family member believes she had an idea.

"They cut her lights off, and the landlord she had... brought her over a heater and it was sparking and I don't know," said Tawana Foster, the children's aunt.

Police and fire investigators were still on the scene of the blaze Tuesday night. .http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/news/local/three-children-die-in-detroit-fire http://i46.tinypic.com/wv5nq1.jpg

[Silvahalo]

A baby girl and an eight-year-old boy are in critical condition, and a three-year-old, a four-year-old and a five-year-old have passed away.

OMG, this is so terrible, crushes my heart to think of these young children running about frantically in terror trying to escape the flames.

BUT, IF she was in the home, how did she not parish too? I couldn't leave my babies to burn alive, I would have gone down with them too trying to save them. Just saying I'm wondering what the facts are.

Investigators are trying to determine exactly where the children's mother was when the fire started. Some say they saw her running towards the scene because she was at the store on the corner when this happened, but the mother says she was at home.

Faulty heater. So very, very tragic. I got my sister a space heater for her and baby as her room is way cold, bad window insulation. BUT most modern heaters are designed to shut off if tipped or circuit out also have temp gauge to shut off automatically. Sounds like desperation, tho using a heater that was sparking was asking for something to go wrong. Rest in peace little ones....omg, just so terrible.

[mommacrazy30]

"They cut her lights off, and the landlord she had... brought her over a heater and it was sparking and I don't know,
im thinkin' (now its just me) that if the lights aren't coming on there's not gonna be a spark from anything you plug in. :dong:

[Whisper]

I know BUT stealing Hydro is huge over there right now.Have had at least 7 fires lately from stealing hydro,that I can remember ,maybe more

[Aslan]

So wait
no electricity but it was a faulty heater?
Not saying there aren't heaters that are run on generators but they normally aren't found on the corner of Crack and 8ball (which is exactly where Bangor and Herbert is in Detroit)
I'm thinking meth lab gone wrong.
Bless the neighbors for doing their best to break the children's fall

Still, 3 little ones paid the price.
This is just awful

[Silvahalo]

Oh, that's right. Electricity had been cut off, at least that's what's being reported. I have a feeling the facts aren't all straight in this story. So many children it seems, dying from fires....more than I can take right now.:dong:

[momof3]

I am thinking maybe a kerosene heater on this one??? I swear everyday my heart breaks a little more for all of these suffering children! Poor babies, what an awful way to perish. I want to wish there was something better for us all in the “afterlife”, really I do :(

[MichaelJCheaney]

It could have been a propane heater......

[Whisper]

According to mom they had illegal gas and hydro until yesterday when someone found out and cut it.Her landlord brought her a old space heater and it was all duct taped and sparked when she plugged it in.So she and her sisrer left to go to family dollar store and buy 2 news.When she returned the fire was raging.Still no word on what was powering the spance heater.All I can think of is either they were again stealing hydro,or she ran a cord from maybe another neighbor or something ,DETROIT (WXYZ)-
Three young children were killed when a fire raced through a home on Detroit's west side Tuesday night.

It happened at a home on Bangor and Herbert.

Seven children were trapped inside the home when the blaze ignited. Three boys jumped out a window into the arms of waiting neighbors and strangers below. A baby girl was tossed out and safely caught.

An 8-year-old boy and the baby girl are in critical condition at Children's Hospital.

The victims were two girls and a boy, ages 3, 4 and 5.

The children's mother is said to have been away at the store when the fire started. Police are investigating to see if that's true.

Friends say the family had just recently moved into the home and that their gas had been cut off. Firefighters believe the deadly blaze may have been started by a faulty heater.http://www.wxyz.com/news/story/3-Children-Die-in-Detroit-House-Fire/Qn0DziOapEa5jGFkLUGohA.cspx Theres video at the link 3 Children Die In Fire
Two Children Are Hospitalized With Injuries DETROIT --
Three children died when fire swept through a house on Detroit's west side around 6 p.m. Tuesday.

The victims were Tro'vion Young, 5, Fantasia Young, 4, Selena Young, 3.

Three of the oldest siblings tossed their 4-month-old sister Serena Young out of a second story window to neighbors below and then jumped out the window themselves.

The home is located at 4964 Bangor Street.

The baby and 8-year-old Jalen Young are in the hospital in critical condition.

Eleven-year-old Tywon Young was not injured.

"It was crazy. It happened so quick," said neighbor Beverly Burg.Neighbors told Local 4 the mother of those children was not at home. She said she went to a dollar store and said she was only going for five minutes, according to Local 4 sources. She was contacted by cell phone and arrived at the scene.

Detroit Fire Department Battalion Chief Larry Lauer said firefighters found the young victims in the house.

"They made a quick attack upstairs, located one child, brought her down, found two more and firemen administered CPR," Lauer said.

Relatives said the house had no natural gas but it had electricity, and the landlord had provided the family with a space heater.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/22723532/detail.html slideshow of pics http://www.clickondetroit.com/slideshow/news/22725711/detail.html

[MadeaBecBec]

Photos of the victims and the house fire here: http://www.clickondetroit.com/slideshow/news/22725711/detail.html


Family members of the children at the scene said their mother, 31-year-old Silvia Young, wasn’t home at the time of the fire, and that she had gone to a dollar store on an errand.

DTE spokesman Scott Simons said gas and electricity service to the house had been cut off Tuesday, when a meter reader noticed the house was illegally hooked up.

Simons said services had been cut off to the house in December after the customer had called to say they were moving.
http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/22723532/detail.html

Incredibly Sad, Fly with Angels, Tro'vion Young, Fantasia Young and Selena Young!

[Whisper]

More info landlord and the mom are giving police diff stories and the investigation is far from over."Landlord had a handyman go and rehook the hydro up illegally AGAIN yesterday afternoon.Then the handyman left a faulty space heater and she left to buy 2 more and came back and the house was burning.Now theres most likel;y to be lawsuits between landlord and handyman.They admitted to what they did ,but not on camera of course.UPDATED: 4:52 pm EST March 3, 2010
DETROIT --
The mother of three children who died Tuesday in a Detroit house fire said she was not home at the time of the blaze because she was trying to find more space heaters to keep her children warm.

Sylvia Young said her children, Tro’vion Young, 5, Fantasia Young, 4 and Selena Young, 3, were killed when a blaze broke out at their house on Bangor Street at about 6 p.m.

Young said her 8-year-old son, Jalen Young, and 11-year-old son, Tywon Young, escaped the fire along with their 4-month-old sister, Serena Young.

Serena and Jalen Young are recovering in Children’s Hospital in Detroit.

Tywon Young was not injured.

“I can never touch them again,” Young said. “I tried, I swear, I tried my best to be a good parent.”Neighbors told Local 4 they heard the oldest siblings screaming for help and that they dropped their 4-month-old sister out a second-story window before jumping themselves to escape the fire.

Jarmar Taylor, one of at least two neighbors who caught the survivors, said he heard the children scream before they leaped for their lives from the intense flames and thick, choking smoke.

"The kids were in the window screaming and hollering. We told them to jump," Taylor, 18, said.

DTE spokesman Scott Simons said gas and electricity service to the house had been cut off Tuesday, when a meter reader noticed the house was illegally hooked up.

Simons said services had been cut off to the house in December after the customer had called to say they were moving.

Family members said the house’s landlord has just recently given the family a space heater.

Fire officials said the cause of the fire is still being investigated.

Three tall, glass-encased candles burned Wednesday on the concrete front steps, as one woman walked up to the house, arms filled with stuffed animals to add to the makeshift memorial.

“If you got children, take care of your children. Love them all,” the children's mother said. “You never know when they might just be gone.” http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/22723532/detail.html

[Pete Bondurant]

3 out of 7 Children Die in Detroit Fire,moms still nowhere to be seen!!


They'll find her soon enough.....when she tries to pick up her welfare check. :wacko:

[Silvahalo]

Now it reads as if mother was found, coming home?? as she answered questions on her whereabouts.... not sure on that so I am assuming she did not run in hide like a cowardly bitch. IF she did that what I am saying is pointless.

After seeing the pictures, and some of the children, I'm going to go out on a limb here and give the mother the benefit of the doubt she was out on a errand that meant more heaters or food for her kiddo's. However, I do not condone leaving children unattended, but recently reading on the mother who left her children to burn as she went on a beer run, I am hoping this mother wasn't as pathetic and useless to her children. As I said I do not condone leaving children alone and had she been there this tragedy may have been prevented all together.

The pictures (http://www.clickondetroit.com/slideshow/news/22725711/detail.html) are heart breaking. Coming home to a burning home with your children in it is a nightmare I would never wish on any mother trying to get by and take care of her kids. NOW, I'm now certain on all the details as investigation is on going and stories are conflicting, BUT I am hoping, that in the face of such extreme tragedy we will find that tho mother shouldn't have been gone she was trying to care for her children. Anything less than that will be a disgrace a dishonor to her dead and surviving children. Even then I don't know if she can truly escape scrutiny as a mother is responsible for the well being of her children and if she wasn't there how could she protect them?

I'm holding out for pictures I can use of the children.....

Tro’vion Young, Fantasia Young, and Selena Young, rest in the heavens sweet children, my heart breaks for you.

[Whisper]

Pete thats why I love you.I cried when watching this on the news since lastnigh BUT not 1 fucking tear for her.I dont care where you were and what you were buying first of all its fucking DETROIT!!!!The worst area.Your sister took you to the dollar store?1 shouldve stayed behind no matter what.Common sense dictates that there are 2 adults why cant 1 make the run????

[TwiztidAngel]

Pete thats why I love you.I cried when watching this on the news since lastnigh BUT not 1 fucking tear for her.I dont care where you were and what you were buying first of all its fucking DETROIT!!!!The worst area.Your sister took you to the dollar store?1 shouldve stayed behind no matter what.Common sense dictates that there are 2 adults why cant 1 make the run????

or why didnt she at least take the 3 youngest with her?...thats what i wouldve done had i been in that situation

ETA: why am i only counting SIX kids names??


Sylvia Young said her children, Tro’vion Young, 5, Fantasia Young, 4 and Selena Young, 3, were killed when a blaze broke out at their house on Bangor Street at about 6 p.m.

Young said her 8-year-old son, Jalen Young, and 11-year-old son, Tywon Young, escaped the fire along with their 4-month-old sister, Serena Young.

[Aslan]

did the sister maybe have a child there?
This is all sorts of crazy

[Whisper]

No there is a Selena and Serena both b/c that caught my attention on the news lol

[Whisper]

And not to be rude but wheres daddy?? Is there a few daddys??Why hasnt daddy material stepped forward.It doesnt matter if theres 1 or 7 daddys thats irrevelant Im am so pissed at this bitch.She had options send sister to grab them or pack all fucking 7 kids up Im sorry thats Detroit and as Aslan pointed out the ghetto of Detroit why the fuck would you chance leaving them to begin with,ASLAN Is this near Cass Corridor Area????

[Aslan]

My mistake whispah :)
I understand Twiztid's question now. Even with Serena and Selena they are only listing 6 children's names. Where is the phantom 7th?

Tro’vion Young
Fantasia Young
Selena Young
Jalen Young
Tywon Young
Serena Young

[Whisper]

My mistake whispah :)
I understand Twiztid's question now. Even with Serena and Selena they are only listing 6 children's names. Where is the phantom 7th?

Tro’vion Young
Fantasia Young
Selena Young
Jalen Young
Tywon Young
Serena Young
You know Im stumped and even on the news 1 station is reporting only 2 escaped but what it really is that 2 are in hospital and 2 didnt need to be.So its fucked up all over the place right now.

[Whisper]

You know Im stumped and even on the news 1 station is reporting only 2 escaped but what it really is that 2 are in hospital and 2 didnt need to be.So its fucked up all over the place right now.
K im pretty sure theres a" Travonia" lol or whatever the female version of Tro’vion is.TRO'VIONIA?Something like that

[Whisper]

K im pretty sure theres a" Travonia" lol or whatever the female version of Tro’vion is.TRO'VIONIA?Something like that

Tro’vion Young, 5, Fantasia Young, 4 and Selena Young, 3, were killed when a blaze broke out at their house on Bangor Street at about 6 p.m.

Young said her 8-year-old son, Jalen Young, and 11-year-old son, Tywon Young, and 9-year-old son escaped the fire along with their 4-month-old sister, Serena Young.

Serena and Jalen Young are recovering in Children’s Hospital in Detroit.

Tywon Young was not injured See they arent naming the 9 yr old and Im sure its the female version of the other name unless that was a female version?? Hell who am I to talk I have a child named Heaven

[mommacrazy30]

trovion=1
fantasia=2
selena=3
jalen=4
tywon=5
serena=6

and 9-year-old son =7

(i can't believe she named a kid tywon i wonder if he was made there)

[Whisper]

Yeah I think the 9 yr old is a female named what I put above lol.3 Children Die in House Fire, Mother SpeaksDETROIT (WXYZ) -
A grieving mother talked with Action News about her three children who died when their home went up in flames Tuesday night.

Sylvia Young lost three of her seven children to the fire that broke out at the home on Bangor Street near Herbert on Detroit's west side.

The victims included her 5-year-old son Travion Young and her daughters 4-year-old Fantasia and 3-year-old Selena.

Four of the children were upstairs and were able to get out thanks to the oldest brother 12-year-old Tywon. He was able to get 9-year-old Jayshaun, 8-year-old Jaylin and his 4-month-old sister Serena out of the home. Jayshaun and Jaylin jumped into the arms of neighbors and Tywon tossed his baby sister to a person below. She was safely caught.

DTE says someone had hooked up gas and electric illegally so they cut it off. A landlord brought over a space heater for the family to use, but there was duct tape on the cord. Young says she even saw it spark.

The mother says she decided to go to the Family Dollar with her sister to buy two new space heaters. She says she was only gone 15 minutes and when she returned the home was engulfed in flames.

"I'll never see my babies again and that's the only thing that brought me joy in my life," Young says.http://www.wxyz.com/news/story/3-Children-Die-in-House-Fire-Mother-Speaks/Qn0DziOapEa5jGFkLUGohA.cspx 3 videos at link The mystery child is 9 yr old Jayshaun

[Silvahalo]

The mystery child is 9 yr old Jayshaun

I believe there is a picture of her 9 yo in her arms in one of the pictures. Couldn't grab it but looking for another. Actually looking for pics period to post.

[thequeenofsorrow]

Why didn't she just pay the damn electric bill then she wouldn't have had to worry about space heaters and illegal hookups. they have emergency assistance programs. With a household of 8 or more, I'm sure she could have gotten some help.

The kids would still probably be left alone (who leaves a 4 month old home alone) ....

[Whisper]

Why didn't she just pay the damn electric bill then she wouldn't have had to worry about space heaters and illegal hookups. they have emergency assistance programs. With a household of 8 or more, I'm sure she could have gotten some help.

The kids would still probably be left alone (who leaves a 4 month old home alone) ....
Well alot of this story has to do with "who turned the hydro back on illegally and who supplied the space heater".Im sorry but to me I have no pity for mom now.I did someplace, somewhere for a bit BUT.I have to pay my fucking bills!I get no help from anyone or anywhere to pay my bills.Im not rich,my hubby and both had to do shit jobs we didnt like to do and pay our bills.I fucking change adults diapers and bathe and everything else you would do for a baby I do for an adult to pay my bills.She couldve called and gotten assistance according to DTE.We dont have that here .We have 1 hydro company in the city and if you dont pay then you get cut.Then you have massive deposits on top of it.If you cant pay the bill how the fuck do they expect you to pay $150.00 reconnection charge as well as a$ 500.00 deposit on top of your bill?? I know the amounts b/c I paid a friends without her knowing or asking b/c she has 3 small kids her hubby took all the money from account and is no where to be seen and she would never ask for help so my hubby and I paid it and asked not to be named.So this mom couldve called and gotten it back on.SHE DECIDED FREE WAS BETTER!! I cry for the kids that died and the ones that saved who they could.I dont shed a tear for the stupid bitch that couldve sent her sister or gone and her sister stay with the kids and get those heaters IF THATS WHAT SHE WAS DOING.I havent seen any heaters she supposebly went out to buy.I would expect a news person to have a shot of them blended into the story b/c news here is so dramatic.But this isnt about a hydro bill,this is about a mother that left 7 very small children alone and went out.I dont care if she went to the store for milk,went for heaters or went to a fucking bar the fact of the matter is she went out.If she went out this time ,is this a habit for her? and this is the first time they got caught.I hope she has DSS up the ass for yrs to come to make sure those last remaining kids are looked after properly.Oh by the way SHE HAD ALL BRAND NEW FURNITURE THAT BURNT IN THE FIRE SHE MADE A POINT OF MENTIONING.SAYING THAT TROVIAN KNOCKED OVER A BRAND NEW CHAIR INTO THE HEATER EARLIER WHILE PLAYING S o if she could afford all brand new(she said "I had just bought all brand new furniture"). Now shes on whining that her kids have no clothes well the kids deserve clothes but I hope theres someone in charge of any donations(money) and not her.

[battery jackson]

poor kids. as usual, fuck the adults, they're the ones who should die.

[TwiztidAngel]

trovion=1
fantasia=2
selena=3
jalen=4
tywon=5
serena=6
=7

(i can't believe she named a kid tywon i wonder if he was made there)

ohhhhh they didnt name the 9 yr old...thats what threw me off

[MichaelJCheaney]

A landlord brought over a space heater for the family to use, but there was duct tape on the cord. Young says she even saw it spark.

The mother says she decided to go to the Family Dollar with her sister to buy two new space heaters. She says she was only gone 15 minutes and when she returned the home was engulfed in flames.

And it never occurred to her that maybe, just fucking maybe a spark coming from an extension cord could, maybe possibly start a FUCKING FIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So she decides that instead of unplugging the cord and THEN going to the store, she would leave it plugged in and HOPE Nothing happens?

Christ!! with parenting instincts like that, the 3 dead kids are much better off.......

Please DO NOT let this dumb assed bitch ever breed again!!!

[Whisper]

Actually they are in arguement right now with police talking to each the landlord and the handyman they have tossed each other under the bus.But I agree 100% she need to be steralized.

[TwiztidAngel]

And it never occurred to her that maybe, just fucking maybe a spark coming from an extension cord could, maybe possibly start a FUCKING FIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So she decides that instead of unplugging the cord and THEN going to the store, she would leave it plugged in and HOPE Nothing happens?

Christ!! with parenting instincts like that, the 3 dead kids are much better off.......

Please DO NOT let this dumb assed bitch ever breed again!!!

dont forget..the power was hooked up illegally too...


DTE spokesman Scott Simons said gas and electricity service to the house had been cut off Tuesday, when a meter reader noticed the house was illegally hooked up.

[Whisper]

and as soon was it was cut,landlord had handyman hook it back up illegally.They did a thing on news today showing transformers blowing up from people hacking hydro.They had hidden cameras catching business's stealing hydro.And the wires are all frayed and hanging down live wires anyone can walk into and be electrocuted.Now the cops are after landlord and handyman who are blaming each other

[TwiztidAngel]

and as soon asd it was cut,landlord had handyman hook it back up illegally.They did a thing on news today showing transformers blowing up from people hacking hydro.They had hidden cameras catching business's stealing hydro.And the wires are all frayed and hanging down live wires anyone can walk into and be electrocuted.Now the cops are after landlord and handyman who are blaming each other

i know of a dumbass that got electocuted cuz he was tryin to figure out how to hook his electric back up...i know ppl do it here all the time...we dont call anything 'hydro' tho...when i hear hydro i think water...is that what you guys call water up north?

[Whisper]

Dozens Gather for Protest Outside DTEWXYZ) -
DTE Energy is responding to outrage over a deadly fire at a home where the power was shut off.

Dozens of protestors gathered outside of the utility company.

The company says if it knew a family of eight was living in the home on Detroit's west side, the mother of seven children would have qualified for assistance.

Three children were killed Tuesday night when their home went up in flames. The family had been using illegal electric hookups to keep warm.

A DTE spokesperson told Action News that these illegal hookups are dangerous.

"Stealing definitely isn't the answer. We would encourage anyone who is listening today or any of our existing customers - if you are running into those problems versus doing nothing at all and looking to receive a hookup - to call us at our 1-800 number at 1-800-477-4747," said David Johnson of DTE. http://www.wxyz.com/news/story/Dozens-Gather-for-Protest-Outside-DTE/uPZQAoS1NkatSMMMjxJaEw.cspx

[Silvahalo]

I have felt early on from the breaking of this tragic incident, that the facts have not been straight and being misreported to benefit certain people. With the DTE Energy in the forefront with hard questions being asked, not surprising to see a woman like Ms. Young being scrutinized and victimized. Yes, I do think that's what's happening here based on the facts I have read outside of Hunt's articles.

People like this woman and her children are like many people across the nation finding themselves in desperate times. I do not condone putting young children at risk by using faulty heaters, but I seriously doubt this woman really thought she was putting her children in grave harm.


Detroit area media and city and state authorities have launched a witch-hunt against Sylvia Young, the mother of three young children who died in a March 2 house fire on Bangor Street on Detroit's west side.

The basic facts of the case are not in dispute. Energy giant DTE Energy cut off unauthorized gas and electricity hook-ups to the house earlier in the day. Electrical power was soon reactivated, evidently by order of the landlord, who left Young with a faulty and dangerous space heater. As temperatures dropped toward freezing, Young went to purchase new space heaters. While she was gone a fire consumed the house, killing her children Tro’vion Young, five, Fantasia Young, four and Selena Young, three. Her 12-year-old son Tywon was able to rescue three siblings, including an infant who he tossed from a window to neighbors below.

Overlooked is another indisputable fact: utility shutoffs inevitably lead to house fires, as desperate households do whatever they can to keep warm. With DTE shutting off households' utilities by the tens of thousands in southeast Michigan—221,000 last year alone—deadly house fires are a common occurrence. In January, three people—two of whom were wheelchair-bound—died in a fire triggered by a space heater after DTE had cut gas heat to their Dexter Avenue house. Last winter, three young children and their aunt died in a house fire in nearby Highland Park. The house was without gas or electricity, which had been cut by DTE.

Had the Free Press performed basic investigative journalism—attempting to verify assertions—they would have discovered that Young had sought help—pleading with DTE that very day not to cut off her utilities. Young was also one of around 10,000 people who went to an event sponsored by DTE last summer at the State Fair Grounds seeking assistance but receiving none.....
The so-called “help” available to families does not reduce overall payments, allow for a reduction in outstanding balances, or disallow shutoffs in winter. The absurdity of DTE's claims of abundant help—echoed by state and local officials—are exposed by the company's own statistics on utility shutoffs, which number nearly 400,000 in the area over the past two years.
Fires like the one that killed the three children on Bangor Street result from the subordination of the most basic human needs for water, light and warmth to the profit drive of large corporations. But the media and state authorities have responded to the tragedy by blaming the victims.
[...]
In the immediate aftermath of the fire, local media, led by the Detroit Free Press and staff writer Amber Hunt, attempted to smear Sylvia Young. In an article headlined “Mom was at Store when Three Children Died in House Fire,” Hunt included the following hearsay statement from Fire Chief Gary Lauer: “I'm just going by what was said at the scene, that she had gone to the party store.” The clear implication here was that Young was off buying alcohol. Hunt did not attempt to check this second-hand statement by interviewing neighbors or Young herself.

In fact, Young had gone to a discount store to purchase two space heaters after her children complained that they were cold. She left the small children with her 12-year-old son, hardly unusual in the US, and was gone for about 15 minutes. A later television report showed the tearful mother with the two space heaters she had purchased.....
Yet while the Free Press has criminalized Sylvia Young, it has repeatedly used its “news articles,” penned by Hunt, as a propaganda platform for DTE executives to tout the “many options” available to those who cannot afford the utility giant's high costs.

[...]
By all evidence and the testimony of her neighbors, Sylvia Young is a caring mother doing the best she can under difficult circumstances. Like much of the working age population in Detroit she is unemployed, attempting to survive on woefully inadequate public assistance. She told the World Socialist Web Site that she had tried to gain assistance for her debt to DTE, but could not.
The media has also maligned Young and, indeed, much of the population of Detroit for “energy theft”—tapping into the electrical grid without making payments to DTE........This desperate and dangerous act—in which several people hooking up wires to utility polls have been electrocuted and killed—arises from mass joblessness and dire poverty, which permeates Detroit. Anyone would prefer safe and affordable access to “legal” electricity, but given the alternative—freezing to death—it is hardly suprising that people take whatever measures are necessary to survive Perhaps being in the same situation as Ms. Young many of us with children might have left to do exactly as Ms. Young did, try to keep her children from freezing. Leaving her children with her eldest, 12 yo, was likely secondary to all of them potentially freezing. It's easy to say she should have done this or that and sought help. It appears she tried. Anyone who has lived in TRUE desperate situation will also know that it is not as easy as seeking help and getting it. There are always exceptions to help that can still leave one without help and finding themselves struggling to care for themselves and their children. I think Ms. Young is an example of many who suffer in dire straights making choices out of desperation taking help where they can get it and in the process not a kind gesture just might be the tragic ending.


More here. (http://wsws.org/articles/2010/mar2010/fire-m08.shtml)

[MichaelJCheaney]

I have felt early on from the breaking of this tragic incident, that the facts have not been straight and being misreported to benefit certain people. With the DTE Energy in the forefront with hard questions being asked, not surprising to see a woman like Ms. Young being scrutinized and victimized. Yes, I do think that's what's happening here based on the facts I have read outside of Hunt's articles.

People like this woman and her children are like many people across the nation finding themselves in desperate times. I do not condone putting young children at risk by using faulty heaters, but I seriously doubt this woman really thought she was putting her children in grave harm.

Perhaps being in the same situation as Ms. Young many of us with children might have left to do exactly as Ms. Young did, try to keep her children from freezing. Leaving her children with her eldest, 12 yo, was likely secondary to all of them potentially freezing. It's easy to say she should have done this or that and sought help. It appears she tried. Anyone who has lived in TRUE desperate situation will also know that it is not as easy as seeking help and getting it. There are always exceptions to help that can still leave one without help and finding themselves struggling to care for themselves and their children. I think Ms. Young is an example of many who suffer in dire straights making choices out of desperation taking help where they can get it and in the process not a kind gesture just might be the tragic ending.


More here. (http://wsws.org/articles/2010/mar2010/fire-m08.shtml)

Perhaps I am doing a little too much second guessing here, but the landlord is the one who should be held responsible as well.

Yes its true that the Electric/Gas company may have had a moratorium in place to prevent service cutoffs, but that would only apply to dwellings that are occupied right? They would have no legal obligation to maintain service to a dwelling that is NOT OCCUPIED. -And based on what I have heard and read so far I would presume that the night this happened it was the first day/night that the house was occupied, and the landlord SHOULD have called the electric company and made arrangements to pay the outstanding bill and have power turned back on.

That being said however I cannot let Mom off the hook either. After all she left a 12 year old home alone with 6 other kids AND she left a space heater that she KNEW (Because she witnessed it herself) was faulty.

It was also her responsibility has a mother to ensure that the house was fit for habitation, by ensuring that there was gas and electric hook ups and that she had properly working space heaters.

I'm sorry but I just cannot let Mom off the hook. She failed her kids, in the most basic way possible and she should be held accountable, no matter how noble her intentions were.

[Whisper]

You know I guess Im on a bitch.
But its not the landlord although I feel he holds some responsibility.But mom left the kids alone.
Thats its thats all!
A 12 yr old left in the house with 6 more under the age of 9 and then he doesnt even know moms left them all alone sleeping while she went shopping.
She left them alone in the the fucking ghetto of Detroit to begin with.
He didnt know he was responsible for the rest b/c mom had gone out.
So now he will live with that guilt the rest of his life.
Hes a little hero who saved who he could but was in hosp over the guilt of not being able to save the rest(was on the news he was having a mental breakdown)
Nice eh to leave that on the shoulders of a 12 yr old

[MichaelJCheaney]

Why are people so eager to give this Woman a free pass? (I am referring to the World Socialist Website that SilvaHalo referenced.


She leaves a 12 Year old home alone w/6 other kids.

It completely disgusts me that just because she lost 4 kids, she gets a free pass.

She was just as responsible for the needless deaths as anyone.

It was her duty to protect the children.

She failed.

[Whisper]

Actually maybe b/c I live right here so close and this is all thats been on the news but the focus has been going back on mom for the last couple days.
In between the Kwame Kilpatrick debacle and other news this is again becoming focused on the mother.
People are pissed shes on there talking about her brand new furniture that burnt and losing kids yet wanting the world to pity her.
I dont.
And not many do,the fact is she left them sleeping to go shopping.
With a 12 yr old that didnt even know he was responsable for the others.
I dont pity her at all she asked for whats happened to her by leaving kids alone.
Bottom line I dont care if she was meeting Mother Theresa for Tea she left those kids alone.
Aslan can tell you the area they were left alone at.
Another thing she had no money to pay the bill??Then why is she on TV talking about losing all her brand new furniture she just paid for now its gone??

[Dakota Valkyrie]

She leaves a 12 Year old home alone w/6 other kids.
That is the LAST thing I would be blaming her for. My daughters and granddaughter regularly babysat at that age, as did I. She was only gone a short time and that is well within the capabilities of many 12-year-olds. Leaving when you know there is a faulty heater. Yep. Leaving when you have a handyman illegal hookup. Yep. But not for doing what millions of people do daily... leave a 12yo with sleeping youngers while they make a quick run.
______

Did I miss something?? Earlier reports say that the power company was told to turn off the power because they(or whoever) were moving. How is THAT the power company's fault?

[Whisper]

Its not the companys fault at all.
The person moved in Dec,she didnt even call for hook up.
DTE was told it was a vacant building.
She had illegal hook up from Dec until it was noticed and unhooked and then the same day she had illegal hook up AGAIN SAME DAY.
The landlord called a handy man who rehooked it up.
Now the fights over the faulty heater who left it.
Landlord says handyman,handyman says landlord.
The big thing is the 12 yr old didnt know he was babysitting.
I babysat from the time I was 12 too.
I knew I was responsible for whoever.
He awoke to a fire and no mom and no clue what the hell was happening
Its amazing he had the clarity to save who he could and still try and save the rest.
If you know your responsible for the rest in the house thats one thing.
But to wake to a fire and look for mom and not know shes not home is totally diff

[MichaelJCheaney]

That is the LAST thing I would be blaming her for. My daughters and granddaughter regularly babysat at that age, as did I. She was only gone a short time and that is well within the capabilities of many 12-year-olds. Leaving when you know there is a faulty heater. Yep. Leaving when you have a handyman illegal hookup. Yep. But not for doing what millions of people do daily... leave a 12yo with sleeping youngers while they make a quick run.
______

Did I miss something?? Earlier reports say that the power company was told to turn off the power because they(or whoever) were moving. How is THAT the power company's fault?

That is the last thing I am blaming her for.

There are so many MORE things that this woman should be blamed for.

Things such as:

-Not paying the Damn Bill in the first place.

-Leaving 7 kids alone in the presence of a heater that she herself saw spark from the electrical outlet. -And yet did not have the common sense to unplug and throw away. (For this act alone, she should be charged with negligent homicide)

-Buying new furniture instead of paying the stupid electric bill.......

-And last but not least going on TV and telling the power company that "it has blood on its hands" even though she is/was responsible for the deaths of her own kids.

[Dakota Valkyrie]

I agree MJC. I did not realize the 12yo didn't know they were babysitting. That's the same as having no sitter. But under usual circumstances, I don't see anything wrong with a it.

[Whisper]

DTE Energy crews had turned off unauthorized gas and electric service to the house earlier Tuesday(March 2 2010) after an employee noticed someone had cut off the locks on the meter box, said Scott Simons, a spokesman for the utility.
[...]
Service initially was shut off Dec. 11 at the request of a DTE Energy customer who was moving. "Since then there has been no request for service to be turned on," Simons said.
[...]
He was not sure if the utility's theft-prevention officials reached anyone in the house before the power was turned off Tuesday.
[...]
"Generally, our theft guys will knock on the door before turning off service," Simons said. "We want to turn them into paying customers and leave them with information that tells them how to go about doing that. People usually don't answer the door."
[...]http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/news/local/images-3-children-die-in-detroit-fire

[MichaelJCheaney]

I agree MJC. I did not realize the 12yo didn't know they were babysitting. That's the same as having no sitter. But under usual circumstances, I don't see anything wrong with a it.

Under Normal circumstances I am alright with having a 12 y.o. babysit as well....

Hell I bet this poor kid feels worse about what happened than the egg donor he calls mom does.....

[Whisper]

I agree MJC. I did not realize the 12yo didn't know they were babysitting. That's the same as having no sitter. But under usual circumstances, I don't see anything wrong with a it.
No he didnt know she left them all sleeping.
Its all coming to a head here again b/c she hadnt called to have it hooked up and instead decided to steal again,the day it was cut.
I have been attempting to find where theres been no call to reconnect since Dec when the other tennants left and she moved in.
This is the best I could b/c there are so many articles online its a bitch looking through them all

[Silvahalo]

I'm hardly giving this woman a FREE PASS. Are you kidding me? I would be the first two crucify this woman for being a negligent mother, and as it is evident, she was negligent, absolutely! and I did say so. What I am saying is this woman wasn't just poor she was dirt poor and anyone who knows exactly what that is like can also understand, that under dire, EXTREME circumstances this woman was trying to take care of her children. Yes, a mother is by all means responsible for making sure their lives are protected and by any means to protect them. I have voiced that sentiment countless times. I do think given the situation she did what she thought was best, running out in frigid temps to acquire more heaters. Just put yourself in her place, screaming baby, children crying 'cause they can't get warm....and no heat. What the hell do you do on a night to fall well below freezing?

And I'm not speaking on what she could have done a month ago, two weeks ago even two days ago, as I have already spoke on that. What the fuck do you do then, that very night?? 'cause desperate is desperate. I do think this mother failed and she will have to live with that reality but does she not deserves some compassion at all?? I give NOTHING to dead beat mothers, child beaters, vile fuckn creatures who torture their children and starve them! But this woman was none of that and you can spin it any way you want, but the FACTS stand she was not an absentee mom at the liquor store or out partying getting banged up again, or getting high at some warm bar while her children froze, NO she was out trying to buy heaters. It's easy to forget how hard it can be out there when we sit behind the warm glow of our computers. She comes home to her children in a blaze and I will not condemn her for not being there as she will no doubt forever regret not being there for her screaming children. I put myself for a moment in her shoes and I simply cannot do that. Her children perished in a fire, a fire, dear God, I cannot fathom losing so much life like that. Poor sweet children, I cannot fathom.....

There are no words to fully express my deepest sorrow for the children that lost their lives that night, and in such a horrific way. My heart aches knowing that their ending did not have to come this way that they deserved happy, fulfilling lives a chance to know how much their mother did love them. I will leave judgment to God on this. It is between this mother and her maker what she held in her heart that night and her punishment is already eternal. I ask for peace and love to all who perished and those who must continue living life with out those precious ones. The agony is unbearable and I'm just reading on it. I cannot imagine living it.

[Dakota Valkyrie]

So, Silva, the reason you leave your kids alone is what does it? Not the fact that you leave them in a known dangerous place without supervision?

Her 'desperate" situation is of her own making by her own past actions. She is the one who chose to move into a home that had no utilities. Add to that, her total disregard for safety by having an electrical hookup that she knew was done illegally by a unqualified person, a known-to-her sparking space heater, and leaving without anyone being in charge or watching the situation. (Want to bet there weren't even smoke alarms in the place either?) And it's OK because she was desperate? I totally disagree. I think she should face charges but have compassion because her loss has been obvious and painful enough.

What about unplugging the faulty heater and waking the oldest child before she left? Two simple and obvious things that could have avoided the whole thing. Being desperate is not a reason to excuse stupidity or irresponsibility.

I understand her position. I've been close to there. But NOT ONCE did I sacrifice the safety of my children because of it. I would no sooner leave my kids in that situation than I would build a bonfire in the living room to keep warm (which, using your logic, would have been OK because I was desperate).

[Silvahalo]

I don't leave my children alone. Where'd you get that from?? I said IF I'd been in her shoes I might have done the same thing. Too bad some here cannot for one moment fathom being that desperate. Got an itch DV, ask someone else to scratch.

Based on the facts, the circumstances involved, I think this woman made a hard choice, one albeit that was a fatal one to some of her children, no doubt it was neglectful no argument there. And we can't surely know all the facts, like if she simply walked away with a faulty heater on. Did she realize it was faulty and didn't give a shit it was on? we could go on and on. I'll keep my deepest anger for those POS mother's who knowing and willingly beat and kill their children, this woman hardly deserves the same wrath. ALL I am saying is there were extreme circumstances on that particular night, and in the processes that lead up to that night. Ultimately, yes, she made a choice and it ended in tragedy. It's not a free pass woman, its called compassion, 'member that? Stupid is as stupid does. Call it stupid, but I still so much that lead up to this tragedy that isn't about being stupid.

As for her children they lost everything. Even those surviving have lost. My heart goes out to them.

Oh, this is MY personal opinion, like it or not.

[Dakota Valkyrie]

I don't leave my children alone. Where'd you get that from?? I said IF I'd been in her shoes I might have done the same thing. Too bad some here cannot for one moment fathom being that desperate. Got an itch DV, ask someone else to scratch.

Based on the facts, the circumstances involved, I think this woman made a hard choice, one albeit that was a fatal one to some of her children, no doubt it was neglectful no argument there. And we can't surely know all the facts, like if she simply walked away with a faulty heater on. Did she realize it was faulty and didn't give a shit it was on? we could go on and on. I'll keep my deepest anger for those POS mother's who knowing and willingly beat and kill their children, this woman hardly deserves the same wrath. ALL I am saying is there were extreme circumstances on that particular night, and in the processes that lead up to that night. Ultimately, yes, she made a choice and it ended in tragedy. It's not a free pass woman, its called compassion, 'member that? Stupid is as stupid does. Call it stupid, but I still so much that lead up to this tragedy that isn't about being stupid.

As for her children they lost everything. Even those surviving have lost. My heart goes out to them.

Oh, this is MY personal opinion, like it or not.
My question "the reason you leave your kids alone is what does it?" meant "you" in a general sense as in "someone". I did not address what you do or do not do with your kids. It was and is not personal. Sorry for the grammar misuse.

Based on the fact that she knew the heater was faulty, knew the kids had no supervision, and knew that the electrical hookup was non-compliant, I have no problem laying blame at her feet. I laid out two simple steps she could have taken - neither of which cost money. She knowingly and willingly left children unsupervised in dangerous conditions. How much more obvious can that be?

What about that night was so extreme that she could not turn off the faulty heater for the short time she left? Or wake the oldest child to watch over things?

I have compassion for her but that does not excuse her actions. I have been in a close position with my kids but never would or did expose them to even greater danger.

Oh, this is MY personal opinion, like it or not.

[MichaelJCheaney]

I don't leave my children alone. Where'd you get that from?? I said IF I'd been in her shoes I might have done the same thing. Too bad some here cannot for one moment fathom being that desperate. Got an itch DV, ask someone else to scratch.

Based on the facts, the circumstances involved, I think this woman made a hard choice, one albeit that was a fatal one to some of her children, no doubt it was neglectful no argument there. And we can't surely know all the facts, like if she simply walked away with a faulty heater on. Did she realize it was faulty and didn't give a shit it was on? we could go on and on. I'll keep my deepest anger for those POS mother's who knowing and willingly beat and kill their children, this woman hardly deserves the same wrath. ALL I am saying is there were extreme circumstances on that particular night, and in the processes that lead up to that night. Ultimately, yes, she made a choice and it ended in tragedy. It's not a free pass woman, its called compassion, 'member that? Stupid is as stupid does. Call it stupid, but I still so much that lead up to this tragedy that isn't about being stupid.

As for her children they lost everything. Even those surviving have lost. My heart goes out to them.

Oh, this is MY personal opinion, like it or not.

Unfortunately I think your compassion is misplaced.

I am all for feeling compassionate for the children who lost all their worldly possessions as well as their siblings.

I can even understand compassion for the fathers of the kids who were killed.....

But compassion toward the mother? The woman who was supposed to love and care for these children?

The woman who was not smart enough to unplug a sparking space heater?

She doesn't deserve your compassion.

She deserves JAIL time.....

[Silvahalo]

I guess you know MJC that she knowingly and willingly left her kids to die. That you know that she didn't unplug the heater knowing it might kill them.

I'm inclined to think she left it on thinking it would keep her kids warm as she ran out to get more heaters. Is it really that hard to believe? or would your rather believe that just because this mother is poor and living in the ghetto she must have been stupid and malicious. Grant it not a very bright act on her part but no one worthy of condemning her to hell and viciously attacking her.

She gets my compassion like it or not and it's not misplaced. YOU and no one else gets to decide who I have compassion for and my reasons for it. Don't like it, IGNORE my post, works wonders.

[MichaelJCheaney]

I guess you know MJC that she knowingly and willingly left her kids to die. That you know that she didn't unplug the heater knowing it might kill them.

I'm inclined to think she left it on thinking it would keep her kids warm as she ran out to get more heaters. Is it really that hard to believe? or would your rather believe that just because this mother is poor and living in the ghetto she must have been stupid and malicious. Grant it not a very bright act on her part but no one worthy of condemning her to hell and viciously attacking her.

She gets my compassion like it or not and it's not misplaced. YOU and no one else gets to decide who I have compassion for and my reasons for it. Don't like it, IGNORE my post, works wonders.

Defensive much?

I ain't telling you shit.

I am however saying that any woman who SEES with her own eyes, that a cord on a heater is sparking, and decides for whatever reason to continue to use said heater, KNOWING that it WILL cause a fire, (Because thats what sparking extension cords do. They Start fires!!!!) is guilty of negligent homicide!

[Athena]

Defensive much?

I ain't telling you shit.

I am however saying that any woman who SEES with her own eyes, that a cord on a heater is sparking, and decides for whatever reason to continue to use said heater, KNOWING that it WILL cause a fire, (Because thats what sparking extension cords do. They Start fires!!!!) is guilty of negligent homicide!

And that's the ticket, here. Her actions do not have to be malicious in order to be criminal. Her recklessness, leaving children unattended in a house with bad electrical outlets and a sparking extension cord, is worthy of punishment. This is no different than leaving a young child alone in a tub, in my opinion.

[Dneilz]

OH BOY. Did she know the cords would start a fire? Did she HAVE to leave those children alone while getting new heaters? How long was she actually gone? Does her receipts show that she bought heaters while gone?

My kids go with me to the store, especially if we are having difficulty with heating.

[Dakota Valkyrie]

OH BOY. Did she know the cords would start a fire? Did she HAVE to leave those children alone while getting new heaters? How long was she actually gone? Does her receipts show that she bought heaters while gone?

My kids go with me to the store, especially if we are having difficulty with heating.
Most people know that electrical sparks cause fires. I won't even plug something in if it has been given off sparks. It goes in the garbage.

The only problem I have with her leaving the kids (beyond the electricity thing) is the fact that there was no one watching them. She didn't even wake the 12-year-old to tell her she was running out.

[Whisper]

OH BOY. Did she know the cords would start a fire? Did she HAVE to leave those children alone while getting new heaters? How long was she actually gone? Does her receipts show that she bought heaters while gone?

My kids go with me to the store, especially if we are having difficulty with heating.
That has been my thing from day 1
When she came back and was on news where were the heaters??
Family Dollar Store sells heaters??
We have dollar stores all over the city and I have NEVER seen 1 that sells heaters
She stand there in front of the cameras saying that DTE has blood on their hands
And in the next breath talking about how Tra'Vion knocked knocked her new chair into the heater and thats when she noticed it sparked
So she knew when all were awake during the day that it sparked and she waited until night and decided to go.
That kid had no clue he was alone and responsible for the kids that were sleeping and yet still had the peace of mind to rescue those he did.
Again I have never seen a dollar store here that sells heaters not sure about over in the States

[Silvahalo]

I see it's a party now. Folks, its complete cockamamie, BS, to think even for a moment I don't care about what happened to those children. Anyone trying to discredit me by saying I don't give a shit can just zip it now.

I know as you all know that there is much to this story has a lot of gray. I do NOT condone leaving children alone but in real life there are exceptions given the gravity of a situation. It was frigid temps that night and the mother was concerned for her children. "As temperatures dropped toward freezing, Young went to purchase new space heaters"....The obvious point here is she did not intentionally mean to put her children in harms way as why would a mother do that if she was out trying to find heaters to warm them? and yes, I can here it now, BUT still, she fucked up, yes she did and never denied that.

Undeniably the mother as a parent made a grave mistake. But how can one read and NOT see that there is more blame to go around. A simple read will show you that. I am sick of people and I mean ALL people getting away with being a party to children who die needlessly.
"They cut her lights off, and the landlord she had... brought her over a heater, and it was sparking and I don't know," said Tawana Foster, the children's aunt. I don't know meaning what? does this mean she and mother didn't realize the grave danger involved? you say anyone would know but perhaps it didn't occur to her. You can call her stupid but I'd say more likely ignorant.

The landlord told Local 4 last week that the handyman went to the home to repair a broken door. He then reportedly cut the padlocks that had been placed on the electric meter and hooked up the power to help the family, giving the mother an old space heater.

"I didn't know I was leaving my children in danger or I would never have left," Sylvia Young said. Fire officials said the cause of the fire is still being investigated.


The basic facts of the case are not in dispute. Energy giant DTE Energy cut off unauthorized gas and electricity hook-ups to the house earlier in the day. Electrical power was soon reactivated, evidently by order of the landlord, who left Young with a faulty and dangerous space heater. As temperatures dropped toward freezing, Young went to purchase new space heaters. While she was gone a fire consumed the house, killing her children Tro’vion Young, five, Fantasia Young, four and Selena Young, three. Her 12-year-old son Tywon was able to rescue three siblings, including an infant who he tossed from a window to neighbors below.

Overlooked is another indisputable fact: utility shutoffs inevitably lead to house fires, as desperate households do whatever they can to keep warm. With DTE shutting off households' utilities by the tens of thousands in southeast Michigan—221,000 last year alone—deadly house fires are a common occurrence. In January, three people—two of whom were wheelchair-bound—died in a fire triggered by a space heater after DTE had cut gas heat to their Dexter Avenue house. Last winter, three young children and their aunt died in a house fire in nearby Highland Park. The house was without gas or electricity, which had been cut by DTE.

What kind of society is it that such elemental requirements as water, warmth and light are available to only those who can contribute to the vast personal fortunes of the likes of multi-millionaire Anthony F. Earley, CEO of DTE? This regime of distribution, overseen and enforced by state and local authorities, excuses no one, no matter how vulnerable—not young children, not the elderly, not the disabled. Those who cannot pay tribute to these legal monopolies are counted as worthless, or worse—as criminals deserving of punishment.

Comes down to a single mother trying to care for her children left to get more heaters. Based on what I have read she may OR may have not known the heater was a death trap. She may be stupid but like I said more likely ignorant. I never said what she did does not fall under a criminal act. By the law she may very well be found to be grossly negligent and serve time for that and I have no argument with that either.

All I said is I have compassion for her as her acts were not grounded on causing harm to her children. And it is indisputable that she did try to get services to help her with her bill and was denied help. You all can have compassion for a parent who leaves their child to cook in a hot car crying, I forgot I had a kid, but this woman she deserves hell? makes no sense. You all can party without me 'cause I'm done. That's my opinion, my feelings on the matter really that simple.

[Whisper]

I dont think its a party Silva
I think what it boils down to is frustration and people tired of neglectful parents leaving kids for whatever reason
Who is to say that she hasnt left them before and this is the time she was caught?
The part that disgusts me is she is on TV calling DTE "murderers"


DTE Energy crews had turned off unauthorized gas and electric service to the house earlier Tuesday after an employee noticed someone had cut off the locks on the meter box, said Scott Simons, a spokesman for the utility.

Service initially was shut off Dec. 11 at the request of a DTE Energy customer who was moving. "Since then there has been no request for service to be turned on," Simons said
[...]http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2010/03/3_children_die_in_detroit_hous.html

Several Metro Detroit residents angry at DTE Energy for shutting off power to the home of a mother and seven children picketed outside the energy provider's offices on Thursday, blaming the company for three of the kids' deaths
[...]
This is unconscionable. What they did is murder three children," Maureen Taylor of the Michigan Welfare Rights Organization tells Fox 2.
[...]http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2010/03/picketers_protest_dte_energy_a.html
She is helping fuel this argument that DTE killed her kids??She killed her kids.
If I was shown these mystery heater yeah maybe I would believe her a bit more.
I have comapssion when its deserved in situations.
I have compassion for the kid that saved his siblings and tried to save the rest.
I have compassion for the kids left behind and their father/fathers
But for her after seeing her on tv non stop since this happened and talking about new furniture in the same breath and her dead kids I dont have any compassion for her.
She had choices and she made the wrong one
Maybe she didnt know they were gonna die that night,and she made a bad choice
BUT by attempting to blame the company she was stealing from just b/c she was caught and outed is a rotten thing to do .It was her actions alone that killed those kids and permanently scarred her others.
And thats my opnion,you have yours and everyone else has theirs.

[Dakota Valkyrie]

I see it's a party now. Folks, its complete cockamamie, BS, to think even for a moment I don't care about what happened to those children. Anyone trying to discredit me by saying I don't give a shit can just zip it now.
If you thought I was ever trying to say you did not have compassion for the kids, you were seriously mistaken and I'm sorry if you had that impression. No one is trying to discredit you. It is just a disagreement.

In much of what you say, we do agree. I do not and never have thought that she intentionally left her kids to die in a fire. I do think it was foreseeable. Ignorance of consequences could be applied to a vast majority of what we see here on D'D and I find it rarely excusable.

As I said, I do have compassion for her. But that does not prevent me from seeing her role in this disaster. There may be others, but the only pass SHE will get from me is that I don't think she should be prosecuted.

[Silvahalo]

The woman lost 3 children to fire due to her negligence. I'm not surprised she is blaming and calling the DTE murderers. AND they are not by a long shot innocent. Not saying its right but understandable, she'd say that. Ultimately I have the greatest compassion for the victims as I always have, nothing is ever changing that. Nothing.

It was a party Whisp, but I wasn't invited. Lol, no concern, i have far more pressing matters than to keep arguing a point that is simply my opinion.



I dont think its a party Silva
I think what it boils down to is frustration and people tired of neglectful parents leaving kids for whatever reason
Who is to say that she hasnt left them before and this is the time she was caught?
The part that disgusts me is she is on TV calling DTE "murderers"

http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2010/03/3_children_die_in_detroit_hous.html
http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2010/03/picketers_protest_dte_energy_a.html
She is helping fuel this argument that DTE killed her kids??She killed her kids.
If I was shown these mystery heater yeah maybe I would believe her a bit more.
I have comapssion when its deserved in situations.
I have compassion for the kid that saved his siblings and tried to save the rest.
I have compassion for the kids left behind and their father/fathers
But for her after seeing her on tv non stop since this happened and talking about new furniture in the same breath and her dead kids I dont have any compassion for her.
She had choices and she made the wrong one
Maybe she didnt know they were gonna die that night,and she made a bad choice
BUT by attempting to blame the company she was stealing from just b/c she was caught and outed is a rotten thing to do .It was her actions alone that killed those kids and permanently scarred her others.
And thats my opnion,you have yours and everyone else has theirs.

[Athena]

I'm not surprised she is blaming and calling the DTE murderers. AND they are not by a long shot innocent.

How? Because they neglected to give free product to a woman who was too stupid or unwilling to do the things she needed to do in life to support herself and her seven children?

How can we blame the electric company for one woman's chronic failure?

[Whisper]

I took this case way to personally and argued points I normally wouldve left alone.
So maybe I should explain a bit.
I wasnt attempting to be a bitch but I was left alone as a small kid with no heat,no hydro for days at a time but I wasnt responsible for anyone else but me.
So I know what this kid has been through will affect him the rest of his life,b/c I am still affected everyday with small stupid things that send you back to a memory you would rather not have.Enough said about why I felt the way I did.
They were laid to rest today and big brother that saved them played a very soft and beautiful Amazing Grace to them.
It was shown on the news and very emotional to watch,Ill see if they post it eventually.
Heres a few comments left in last few minutes you can read more or add your own at
http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/22723532/detail.html#slide_show <Ten Pics

12 Year old Tywon Young is a hero. He saved his siblings that he was able to save. I watched the interview with him right after the fire while he cried so hard trying to explain that he tried and couldn't save the others. He feels guilty because of this. He is only 12 - Not quite a man yet and stepping up to the plate like one. I cried for him. He will live with this the rest of his life. Pray for him. This kid is a role model and doesn't know it. He is probably more responsible than most of the people around him. He's my hero!

It is beyond me why this woman has not been arrested on child neglect charges. Where is CPS to protect the children she didn't kill through her neglect and abandonment during the fire???
Fire Victims Laid To Rest
3 Children Die; 2 Others Hospitalized
DETROIT --
Hundreds of people, including members of the Detroit Fire Department gathered Saturday to pay final respects to three children who died in a house fire on Detroit’s west side last week.

Detroit firefighters involved in a blaze that killed three children volunteered their time to help the victims' family Friday night by cooking dinner for them, on the eve of the children's funeral.
[...]
Visitation for siblings Selena, Tro’vion and Fantasia Young was held from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Pye Funeral Home on Plymouth Road.
[...]
firefighters said ham, macaroni and cheese, string beans, greens, sweet potatoes and black-eye peas were part of the menu.
[...]
Harris said several of the firefighters plan to serve as pallbearers at Saturday's funeral.
[...]
Sylvia Young said she was not at the home on Bangor Street last Tuesday evening when the fire broke out because she was out trying to find more space heaters to keep her seven children warm.
[...]
The mother said her 8-year-old son, Jalen Young, and 12-year-old son, Tywon Young, and 6-year-old son Jayshawn escaped the fire along with their 4-month-old sister, Serena Young.
[..]
Serena and Jalen Young had been recovering in Children’s Hospital in Detroit, but have since been released.

Tywon Young was not injured.

"My babies always stuck with me and now I got to be alone. I never got a chance to see my babies and say bye," Sylvia Young said. "I seen my the house and my kids go up in smoke and I can never touch my babies again.
[...]http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/22723532/detail.html#story
Young Fire Victims Laid to Rest

This morning, friends and family members gathered to say goodbye to three young children killed in a house fire.
[...]
The funeral was at 11am at Fellowship Chapel in Detroit.
[...]
Sylvia Young left her Bangor Street home to get space heaters. Her electricity had just been shut off. She left her 7 kids alone when the unimaginable happened.
[...]
A blaze tore through the home. Four of her kids jumped from a window to escape the flames. Three didn't make it. 5-year old Travion, 4-year old Fantasia and 3-year old Salina died in the fire.
[...]http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/news/young-fire-victims-laid-to-rest
http://i39.tinypic.com/2qs32hx.jpg
5-year old Travion, 4-year old Fantasia and 3-year old Salina died in the fire.

[Nell]

I don't care about her leaving a 12 year old alone. I babysat at that age. And i can maybe kinda forgive her stupidness about sparking electrical things. You know, cause she must be a moron to leave kids alone with sparking shit. I can even say well, maybe she was just lazy and selfish and thought "Yay for free power and lights!"

But why the fuck would she leave at all? Her sister came over to take her to the store. Why not just put a $20 in sisters hand and ask her to do a favor for you, go grab some space heaters? Huh? Someone explain that to me. Cause if she had done that those kids may still be alive now.

[Whisper]

I don't care about her leaving a 12 year old alone. I babysat at that age. And i can maybe kinda forgive her stupidness about sparking electrical things. You know, cause she must be a moron to leave kids alone with sparking shit. I can even say well, maybe she was just lazy and selfish and thought "Yay for free power and lights!"

But why the fuck would she leave at all? Her sister came over to take her to the store. Why not just put a $20 in sisters hand and ask her to do a favor for you, go grab some space heaters? Huh? Someone explain that to me. Cause if she had done that those kids may still be alive now.
THANK YOU!!!
I have asked that since the start.
If they were all sleeping and it was late at night b/c the breaking news was 11:15 pm
that night.
Why not leave an adult supervising.
Kinda late to wake up the 12 yr old but they didnt need 2 adults to go to the store.
Why 2?? Was she afraid to go out by herself in Detroit?
Yet o.k to leave them like that in the WORST area of Detroit.
That poor 12 yr old I really feel for him
Aslan can tell you how bad the area is, she has lived in Detroit.
If the 12 yr old had known it wouldve been a diff story all together

[Whisper]

This caught my eye too.

Sylvia Young said she was not at the home on Bangor Street when the fire broke out because she was out trying to find more space heaters to keep her seven children warm.
I could be reading to much into it and probrably am but she said she went and bought new heaters and came home with them.
Everyone was starting to ask about the heaters since nobody has seen them.
Now her story has changed and she was out "trying"

[Silvahalo]

These children deserved life, to be protected at all costs. Their little lives taken far too soon and with such tragic circumstances. I cannot fully understand the "if's and why's" that might have saved their lives or changed their course forever. With much thought and a heavy heart I do know that they were loved and will be missed. The love of a parent is not perfect it is fraught with mistakes and lessons to be learned. We can only hope as a parent that our children's lives will not pay the price in learning these lessons. My deepest heartfelt sympathies to the children who's lives are gone as nothing can change their absence in the hearts and lives of those who must live life without them.

May the heavens open onto you precious ones and bring eternal peace and joy. Grace the heavens with your light as it is pure and true.
http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s341/silvahalo68/Fallen%20angels/6afd3d4a.jpg

[MichaelJCheaney]

"My babies always stuck with me and now I got to be alone. I never got a chance to see my babies and say bye," Sylvia Young said. "I seen my the house and my kids go up in smoke and I can never touch my babies again.

This quote in my mind at least sums up nicely her whole mindset....

"My babies always stuck with me now I got to be alone?"

Bitch you have FOUR other kids who you negligence DIDN'T manage to kill....How about looking on the bright side and being strong for them?

Would that be so fucking difficult?

You Stupid egg donating cum dump........

"I never got a chance to see my babies and say bye"

Well perhaps if you would have been smart enough to actually unplug the SPARKING space heater, this could and would have been avoided!!!! -Because those of us with even a spark of common sense, are smart enough to realize that sparks almost always equals flames-


"I seen my the house and my kids go up in smoke and I can never touch my babies again

Boo FUCKING HOO!!!! -What she really means by this, is really quite simple. Where are the trust funds set up....I's needs to get me some monies!"

[AmyB80]

According to the fire dept. official they received the call at 7pm. I had wondered IF she really did wake the 12 year old to watch 6 other younger children including a 3 month old that maybe he fell back to sleep within a handful of minutes after being woken? The rest of it I am going to leave alone. RIP innocent babies.

[Whisper]

7 is kinda early for a 12 yr old to be sleeping really.
It was breaking news at11:10-11:15 pm here and mom still wasnt back yet they were looking for her.
I thinking theres a misprint there b/c theres to many other news sites with same accurate info and the news clips themself,slideshows & what not show a much later timeline