Two teenage brothers have been seen willingly sleeping on the porch of their family home in Detroit while their parents remain inside.
The unidentified 15 and 12-year-old have been seen spending nights on the exterior part of their home on Leslie Street near Dexter by concerned neighbors since this summer.
‘It hurt every night to go to sleep and know these kids are out here. In July, it was 80-90 degrees. Now it’s 20 degrees. You know what I’m saying? So something needs to be done,’ Kiarra Collins anxiously told Fox2.
Zaneta Taylor, another neighbor also told the outlet: ‘They need to placed somewhere in the better place because they never here.
‘I do catch them walking up at night, but they need to be placed somewhere. It’s too cold to be sleeping outside, they’re just kids.’
Footage from the scene shows blankets and pillows strewn around the porch, a few pairs of shoes kept on an edge as well as a toothbrush and glasses kept over a table.
Marc D’Andre, an independent journalist of 7 Mile Radio also spoke to the teens one night who said he had been sleeping on the porch for the past five months and sometimes was joined by his brother.
‘He popped out from under the cover and you know I tried to ask him if he needed help in any kind of way; if he needed money or wanted to go somewhere, even into my van if to warm up for a minute. He refused everything,’ D’Andre told Local4.
Two teenage brothers have been sighted willingly sleeping on the porch of their family home in Detroit while their parents remain inside
The unidentified 15 and 12-year-old have been seen spending nights on the exterior part of their home on Leslie Street near Dexter by concerned neighbors since this summer
After months of watching the boys camp out every night, worried community members alerted the police and Child Protective Services.
But while many believed they were being punished, investigation found that the juveniles were sleeping in the cold on their own accord and always had access to the bathroom.
Both children have also been attending to school and participating in sports.
Officials revealed that the parents had made it known to them that the door to their home was open and that the children could come inside at any time.
They said the boys’ parents have tried to get their kids in therapy and been doing everything possible to redirect their path.
According to Detroit Free Press, the children had slept at a friend’s house on December 2 for unclear reasons.
Since the investigation, the parents have been cleared of any potential charges.
It has also been revealed that the older brother has had past behavioral issues. He has a pending assault and battery case, according to Fox2.
Footage from the scene shows blankets and pillows strewn around the porch, a few pairs of shoes kept on an edge as well as a toothbrush kept over a table
After months of watching the boys camp out every night, worried community members alerted the police and Child Protective Services
But while many believed they were being punished, investigation found that the juveniles were sleeping in the cold on their own accord and they always had access to the bathroom
It has also been revealed that the older brother has had past behavioral issues. He has a pending assault and battery case
The Detroit Police Department said in a statement: ‘The Department is aware of the allegations and is actively investigating the circumstances.
‘At this time, our priority is meeting with the parents and routing as much resource as possible to the location to ensure these children are safe.
‘The Department is deeply concerned over this situation, and any evidence of negligence on the part of the parents will be thoroughly investigated and, if appropriate, referred to the Wayne County Prosecutors Office.’
According to previous reports by Fox2Detroit, the police department and CPS have been working with the family to find a long-term solution.
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