A 1-year-old girl was found dead on Friday night at a Woodside hotel that the city has been using to house homeless families since last summer.
On March 31 at approximately 11:55 p.m., the child’s father called the police about his child needing aid at Room 408 at a Quality Inn at 53-05 Queens Blvd. When officers arrived, they found 1-year-old Kimio Williams unconscious and unresponsive. Williams was transported to Elmhurst Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
The Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death.
“We examined the decedent but the cause and manner of death are pending further studies,” said Julie Bolcer, spokesperson for the Medical Examiner.
Isaac McGinn, spokesperson for the Department of Homeless Services (DHS), said specific information on clients could not be released because of confidentiality rules.
“This is a heartbreaking tragedy,” he said. “We offer our condolences to the family and will provide the family with any and all support that we can during this difficult time.”
He also added that DHS is “currently using some rooms at this location to shelter homeless families with children who would otherwise be turned out onto the street.”
The city plans to completely end the use of hotels as homeless shelters citywide in accordance with the mayor’s Turning the Tide Plan, which states that the use of hotels will end by 2023.
