By Bill Parry
A 1-year-old girl died last Friday after being found unconscious in a Woodside hotel, according to the NYPD.
First responders answered a 911 call at the Quality Inn at 53-05 Queens Blvd. just before noon and found Kimio Williams unconscious and unresponsive, according to the NYPD.
EMS responded and transported the little girl to Elmhurst Hospital Center where she was pronounced dead, police said. The Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death. There are no arrests and the investigation continues.
“I cannot imagine the pain of this family,” City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside) said. “I send my deepest condolences and pray they find peace and comfort in this difficult time.”
The Quality Inn is one of about 40 commercial hotels in the borough currently renting rooms to the city’s Department of Homeless Services while its shelters are operating at capacity. DHS and the Administration for Children’s Services are actively investigating the 1-year old’s death but were unable to provide specific information on clients due to confidentiality rules.
“This is a heartbreaking tragedy,” DHS spokesman Isaac McGinn said. “We offer our condolences to the family and will provide the family with any and all support that we can.”
As part of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s plan to address homelessness, DHS will phase out the use of hotels citywide, including the Woodside Quality Inn. The city plans on opening 90 new borough-based shelters in the next five years, according to the mayor’s plan.
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparr
