As the rain pours in Southeast Michigan, Southfield resident Ed Fournier invited us inside his "man cave," built for exactly this.
"We built this because we knew we wanted to stay here, we love the area, but we didnt know how much we were going to lose power," said Fournier.
According to him, their Southfield home loses power "a couple times a year, maybe four, maybe five times for sure."
Inside his man cave, Fournier has a wood burner, a generator, extension cables, and more supplies to stay safe during a power outage.
He told us that Wednesday's storm has created a double whammy for his family.
While they wait to see if they'll lose power in Southfield, their home in Mancelona, up north, has already been hit by Sunday's ice storms.
Related Story: Governor Whitmer deploys National Guard as northern Michigan recovers from devastating ice storm Gov Whitmer deploys National Guard as northern Michigan recovers from devastating ice storm
In fact, Fournier spent the beginning of his week in Mancelona, securing their home there, before coming back to Southfield for this storm.
"I dont think people really realize how bad it is up there," said Fournier. "And that people really need a lot of help up there."
Amid the severe weather DTE told 7 News Detroit that they are preparing.
On Wednesday afternoon, our team was invited inside their Systems Operation Center.
There, DTE Vice President of Distribution Operation Brian Calka said, "This is an overlay of the electric grid, it shows all of our substations."
Calka said that inside the center, DTE teams can operate 24 hours a day, remotely addressing homes and businesses that may lose power.
He also said that they have additional crews traveling to Michigan to help: "We have 2,000 line workers that are here on our property right now, we are augmenting them with over 600 line workers that are coming from out of state."
According to Calka, this storm is especially worrisome to them because rain preceding high winds increases the likelihood of trees falling.
As we wait to see how many will be affected, residents like Fournier continue to prepare.
"You get your generator, you get your firewood, you get your supplies, you have everything ready," said Fournier. "That way when that time comes, you dont have to worry about yourself, you can help your neighbor out, and thats most important."
An Oxford woman was scammed out of nearly $500,000, her life savings, by someone she thought she'd marry.
Sandy Selvan told us that she sold her car and her house. She gave absolutely everything to a scammer who had convinced her that they were "NCIS" actor Mark Harmon.
Extended Interview: Sandy Selvanshares more about how she was scammed out of her life savings Extended interview: Sandra Selvan shares more about how she was scammed out of her life savings
Selvan says she is sick to her stomach looking back on nearly a year's worth of messages.
"Just beyond devastated. He ruined my life," she said.
Its hard not to tear up seeing the pain and honest turmoil Selvan is in today.
"I would have never, ever, ever done anything to jeopardize my family for this, ever," she said.
The 68-year-old woman from Oxford keeps to herself most days, tending to one of her adult sons who has special needs.
"My son's sick over it... I don't know what happened, what this guy did to me," she said.
The small family was happy, until what started last April, when Selvan got a message over Facebook.
"This person was talking to me. I didn't think it was any big deal. I just talked for a few minutes. I didn't see really any harm at that point," she said.
A relationship began generating hundreds of messages a day. The person then asked Selvan to switch over to an app Zangi, where they revealed their identity.
"He portrayed himself as Mark Harmon," she recalled.
She says the person said they were Mark Harmon, the actor and "NCIS" star.
Photo courtesy: Associated Press
With their identities revealed, over the course of the next 10 months, the alleged Harmon would ask how Selvan's son was. He would tell her how much he loved her and he would talk about their wedding and being together but just one thing stood in the way.
"He had told me that he was in Italy, that he was under a contract," she said.
The fake Harmon told Selvan that his money was tied up in California; he just needed to be loaned a couple hundred thousand dollars to pay his crew off, get home and get his own money. Then he said hed be able to come live with Selvan and her son. He said he had more than enough money to take care of them both.
Selvan started wiring who she thought was her future husband the money he said he needed.
"He shouldnt have had any of it. I think it was like a total of 400 and some, 475," Selvan said.
That's $475,000. Selvan sold her car and her family home to get the money. She has no money left.
"I dont know what to do," Selvan said.
With her life savings now in his pocket, the fake Harmon told Selvan he was boarding a flight to her. Then his account disappeared.
"Everything in my life is just gone. Ive never been so sick about anything in my life," Selvan said.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, romance scams like this are on the rise nationwide.
In fact in 2022, almost 70,000 people reported being the victim of one.
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said he's heard of these types of scams a lot.
Extended interview: Sheriff Bouchard talks about how scammers operate Extended interview: 'There are bottom-feeders out there.' Sheriff Michael Bouchard talks about how scammers operate
The Oakland County Sheriffs Department is investigating Selvans case.
Bouchard told me these scams are often targeted and come from overseas. The criminals are reportedly searching for older individuals who have lost their life partners.
"As soon as the obituary is in the paper, they'll start contacting a widow," Bouchard said. "They're bottom feeders."
I asked Bouchard if there is anything that can be done to get your money back after you've sent it.
"Well a lot of times, these are offshore and in many cases, they're with countries in which we don't have a treaty. So after a certain period, especially if they're in those non-treaty countries, it's gone," he said.
Bouchard said its impossible to know how many people this has happened to because victims are so embarrassed they wont come forward.
The cash company that bought Selvans home will be kicking her and her son out on Thursday.
"We have no place to go. 40 years, and my parents' things will be in the street, and all our belongings. If we lose this house, it's the only house we have," she said.
Shes trying to find the money to buy her home back, but Selvan gave every cent she has away.
All she has left is this bit of courage to share her indescribable loss in hopes that it saves someone elses future.
"Just been a nightmare and I cant wake up from it," Selvan said.
Selvan has created a GoFundMe as she works to find the money to keep her house or find somewhere new to live.
The City of Detroit is being honored in the national spotlight yet again. Time Magazine has included Detroit's "Little Village" on its annual Worlds Greatest Places list.
Created just last spring, Little Village is a cultural arts corridor where youll find art galleries, a bed and breakfast, a Tony Hawk skate park, and more.
Anthony Curis and I took a walk through the awe-inducing art gallery inside The Shepherd.
"Everything we do here is free and open to the public," said Curtis.
The Shepherd is a 110-year-old church that Curis and his wife, JJ, transformed into a cultural arts center its truly the centerpiece of their community, Little Village, which they started building nearly one year ago in a rather empty area of east Detroit.
"Its a cultural corridor within the larger East Village neighborhood," said Curis.
Little Village is about 3.5 acres, it starts with The Shepherd and also includes a bed and breakfast attached.
The gardens include sculptures by Detroiter Charles McGee and a skate park designed by Tony Hawk.
"Were not trying to do anything thats heavy-handed and branded or district, really just trying to create a space where people that are interested in anything from culture to community can find a landing spot," he said.
It may be called Little Village now, but this community is growing rapidly, Curis tells me a bar, multiple artist spaces, restaurants, and homes are currently being built here.
Down the street from The Shepherd, a multi-use arts hub called Lantern houses a shopping boutique, bar, and Anthony Marcellinos non-profit Progressive Arts Studio Collective.
"We have anywhere from 50 to 100 artists a week who work through the studio," said Marcellino.
There, Marcellino provides a studio and exhibitions for artists with developmental disabilities.
"You know, its really achieving our goal here to help people build careers, artwork is starting to really sell here ... and the enthusiasm for what were doing is just growing and growing," he said.
With so much going on it should almost come as no surprise that Time included Little Village on its 2025 World's Greatest Places list.
Curis said he was surprised and excited.
Curis and his wifes work within the arts are truly transforming this Detroit community in a not-so-little way.
"We kind of see this as really the beginning of the work thats happening here, so to have that recognition early on is really incredible," he said.
Macomb County has a cat lady, her name is Heather.
She told 7 News Detroit, "They call me the cat lady, which at first I was like, aww, I dont want to be called that, but I guess it fits."
Heather is the owner of Rosie's Kitty Catfe, a catfe which opened in 2022 and operated out of the Mall at Partridge Creek in Macomb County.
2022 report: 'Kitty Catf,' the first cat cafe in Macomb County, opening this weekend 'Kitty Catf,' the first cat cafe in Macomb County, opening this weekend
"We have a super loyal following," said Heather.
She said the community response to opening was, "Huge, it was huge, we grew really quickly."
Michigan is facing a severe overpopulation of cats. Rosie's Kitty Catfe, though simply cute on the surface, played an integral role in fighting this.
Heather takes in cats from situations where they were abandoned, freezing to death, or injured, then fund-raises the money to get them care. After that, she adopts them out through the catfe.
"Somebody would contact me at least four times a day," said Heather. " We get calls, texts, emails from people saying, 'I found this cat, or Im surrendering this cat, can you help?'"
FULL INTERVIEW: Owner of Rosie's Kitty Catfe talks about reopening FULL INTERVIEW: Owner of Rosie's Kitty Catfe talks about reopening
In 2023, the number of cats that Heather took in quickly grew from 11 to over 100. Unfortunately the catfe grew too large for the mall, in March of 2023 Heather was told she'd need to leave and find a new location.
She said, "Weve been looking ever since."
As far as why it's taken so long to find a new location?
"The zoning is always an issue," said Heather.
In the two years without a brick-and-mortar, Heather has been working around the clock, finding over 50 foster families to take care of the cats while she searches.
"We tried Romeo, Shelby Township, Clinton Township," said Heather.
Her daughter Jo shared, "I dont know if she sleeps or when she does."
However... finally! All those sleepless nights and the help from dozens of fosters are paying off. Tuesday we met with Heather inside what will be Rosies Kitty Catf's new location!
"So nobody knows this yet, just you," said Heather. "We do have a cat catfe, and youre sitting in it now!"
The new location is inside a closing bike store at 26 Mile and Mount Road in Washington Township. Heather said that someone who remembered her last location helped her get the space over the weekend. It's double the size of her previous store. They'll be able to save double the cats.
Macomb County's cat lady has finally found her new home.
Heather said that they will officially open sometime between April and July.
"If we can help, were going to help," said Heather. "A cat's a cat."
A hearing will be held Tuesday afternoon over a motion seeking to revoke communications privileges for the Pontiac mom charged with abandoning her kids for years.
Kelli Bryant is under court order to have no contact with her children or their caregiver, but according to the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office, records show Bryant called the children's caregiver 10 times between March 8 and March 12. It's alleged that she discussed her children and her criminal case.
Prosecutors also say Bryant had other inmates call the caregiver on her behalf.
Kelli Bryant has clearly and repeatedly violated the judges order not to contact the victims or their caregiver, Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said in a statement. That order is in place for an important reason to protect the victims. The decision to ask that an inmates communications be restricted isnt made lightly, but Bryant was repeatedly disobeying court orders and, by doing so, further endangering the victims.
If the motion is granted, Bryant would be prohibited from using the phone, tablet and video communication devices in jail.
7 News Detroit also spoke with Bryant's ex-boyfriend Tyquan Vining. They were dating in the months leading up to the arrest. He said she had told him the kids were with their dad.
Listen: Extended interview with Tyquan Vining Extended phone interview with Tyquan Vining
"It's only so much you can say, because it's still, you know, like, mind-boggling, because it was ... somebody, you know, if you were dating, something like that came up, it'd still be like, damn, because you never see no signs," said Vining.
Vining said she told him she didn't want any more kids.
"She told me she was done having kids, she had four already, she was good ... she said she didn't like babies no more. She was over that," he said.
Bryant added, "It's nobody's fault really, but hers. Nobody else is to be blamed here. I don't care what nobody said. I don't care if nobody never asked about them kids. That was her fault for leaving them kids in their house."
Bryant is charged with three counts of first-degree child abuse in the Pontiac abandonment case. During her arraignment, the judge warned her that jail phone calls are recorded.
Officers conducting a recent welfare check on the home in search of the mother found the children living alone. Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said the landlord notified them because he hadn't heard from her since December and hadn't received rent since October.
Related Video: Watch Oakland County prosecutor announce charges in this case RAW VIDEO: Prosecutor Karen McDonald announces child abuse charges in Pontiac case
First responders said that 4-foot piles of garbage were found in some rooms. Mold and human excrement were found throughout the house. Bouchard said the toilet had stopped working, and the bathtub was filled with feces.
He called the case "very horrific."
Law enforcement said that the children had not attended school since their abandonment, which is believed to have been sometime around 2020-2021, passing the time watching television or playing games. It was reported that the girls had not been outside the home for several years, with the boy sleeping on a mattress on the floor while the girls slept on pizza boxes.
The prosecutor said the children were hiding when police arrived and were afraid to speak to them.
Press conference: Sheriff Michael Bouchard updates abandoned children case RAW VIDEO: Sheriff Michael Bouchard updates abandoned children case.
The children were taken to the hospital for evaluation, reportedly with soiled clothes, matted hair and toenails so long that it was difficult to walk.
"We say a lot this is the worst Ive ever seen' and Ive stopped saying that, because every time I say that, I see something worse," McDonald said.
Bouchard said the children are making great strides since beginning to receive care. They have been forensically interviewed by professionals at CARE House of Oakland County. They were also seen once at McLaren Oakland Hospital. Bouchard said they will also receive a much more in-depth physical and mental health checkup in the near future.
Neighbors told police they did see a woman drop off stuff at the home from time to time, but they never saw the kids leave the house.
Bouchard said that the boy only left the house a few times; he reportedly only did so twice, once to just "touch the grass" and then to go out to get the mail.
Bouchard called the revelation the boy just wanted to feel the grass "by itself, heartbreaking."
"You wouldn't do this to an animal, let alone your child," Bouchard said. "So, just to hear that he came outside to touch the grass is just crushing, soul-crushing on so many levels."
On Friday, we stood at the side of his restaurant where a man almost died last Saturday. Doctors say he would have died if it wasn't for what some are calling divine intervention.
"And we thought, God, if it could have happened maybe a few minutes later, maybe nobody would have found him," Klimek said.
It was around 7:50 p.m. Saturday when a customer leaving Italia Gardens noticed a man laying on the ground outside the restaurant. The customer stopped to help and had his wife call into the restaurant for assistance.
"I just heard some of my employees yelling for me, and I came running up," Klimek said.
He said once outside, he noticed the person needing help was another employee.
"I saw Chris, who is our dishwasher, face down in the parking lot, and theres a pool of blood around his head," Klimek said.
He said when he and the customer rolled Chris Gallagher over, he wasn't breathing and had no pulse.
Quickly, Klimek and the customer started taking turns administering CPR until the ambulance arrived.
After, the two had no idea what happened to Gallagher until this Friday.
Will Gallagher, Chris' son, made the trip to Italia Gardens to find the heroes who he said saved his father's life.
Watch Will Gallagher meet Ed Klimek and thank him in the video below: Video: Son thanks man who he says saved his dad's life
Will Gallagher told us that at the hospital, doctors said his dad's heart was only at 10% that Saturday night. He had gone into complete cardiac arrest, and early CPR saved his life.
"He was literally dead in the parking lot and if it wasnt for Ed and Jason, I wouldnt have a father," Will Gallagher said. "I owe yall everything."
As far as who the customer is who helped Klimek that night. It's Jason Harrison.
He joined over Zoom Friday to meet Will Gallagher.
"I was really curious about the outcome and was just incredibly happy to hear that hes awake and alert," Harrison told Will Gallagher.
It turns out both Klimek and Harrison are firefighters.
The two men said that neither of them were supposed to be there that night and it was teamwork that made this a success.
"They really train people nowadays that every two minutes, you should swap out the person doing compressions, so you can continue doing high quality CPR, and I think we did a great job with that," Harrison said.
Klimek added, "I dont think people realize how physical it is."
The survival rate for cardiac arrest is about 10%. Survival chances decrease by 10% for every minute that immediate CPR is delayed.
However, thanks to the quick actions and teamwork of these strangers, Will Gallagher said his dad Chris is making a full recovery.
"It was just divine intervention that put us in the right place at the right time," Harrison said.
On day two of the Swan Boat Club crash trial, we took a break outside the courtroom with Brian Phillips, the father of the two kids who were killed in the crash.
He told us, "Coming here is just a reality that theyre really, really gone," Phillips said of 8-year-old Alanah and 4-year-old Zayn
"She was always my princess. Like she was a daddys girl, we look just alike," said Phillips, referring to Alanah. He said Zayn, "was a little Hulk."
See more from our interview with Brian in the video below
Brian Phillips, father of 2 kids killed in Swan Boat Club crash, speaks to WXYZ
Both of the children were directly hit by 67-year-old Marshella Chidester's vehicle as it came barreling through the boat club wall into a 3-year-old's birthday party.
Screaming, crying, and chaos ensued.
On Tuesday, Brian watched the prosecution's video evidence of the day with the rest of the courtroom.
"Seeing that video is very haunting," said Phillips. "It was like a straight shot for it happening. So seeing that, my heart drops to my stomach seeing it every time."
She faces two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of operating while intoxicated causing death and four counts of operating while intoxicated causing serious injury.
It is alleged that she was drunk when she crashed into the club, and that's the main arguing point between the defense and the prosecution.
The prosecution presented video evidence Tuesday to suggest that she was. Among the evidence was Monroe County Sheriffs Office body camera video from directly after the crash.
In the video the deputy asks Chidester, On a scale of 0 - 10, 0 being like you're stone cold sober and you can drive perfectly, 10 being you're passed out drunk, where do you think youre at right now?"
In the video Chidester responds, "Uhh a 7. I wouldnt want to drive."
At the hospital following the crash, Chidester had her blood alcohol content tested. The kit showed that her BAC was .18, the legal limit in Michigan is .08. The defense argues that the kit was not refrigerated after use, and that Chidester's blood started to ferment as a result.
In court, Chidester's attorney Bill Colovos asked one of the witnesses, Deputy Steven Schmidt, "Did you refrigerate it?"
Schmidt replied, "No."
Near the end of Tuesday Zayn and Alanah's mother, Mariah Dodds, testified. She is one of the 15 surviving victims of the crash that was hit.
She said that she remembers waking up in the hospital; "And then I freaked out because it hit me, 'Wheres my kids at?' And then thats when she told me that Jayden was life-flighted and Zayn and Alanah were no longer here."
See more from Mariah's testimony in the video below
Mom of victims in Swan Boat Club crash takes stand
Jayden is Dodds' and Phillip's third child. He survived the crash but was seriously injured.
Phillips told us that Jayden is working on walking again, and he himself visits the childrens' grave every day. He said that he brings the children gifts and sings to them. He's trying his best.
"The only thing I want out of all this is I want my kids to rest peacefully," said Phillips.
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan delivered his 12th and final fiscal year budget to City Council Friday.
"We are actually running $70 million ahead of projection," said Duggan.
The mayor said that the City of Detroit is once again approaching a new fiscal year on top.
"For the 11th straight year, we are going to finish this fiscal year with a surplus," he said.
The mayor said that the city has managed past debts so well that, in 2026, he is proposing cutting property taxes by $3 mills.
"For the average Detroiter, if you own a house thats worth $100,000, that is $150 a year tax cut to you," Duggan said.
When asked what he's most excited about in the budget, he answered allocating more funds to DDOT. The mayor is proposing increasing the budget from $190 million to $210 million.
He said, this year, they are adding 45 buses and hiring 63 more drivers and 24 mechanics.
"They are scheduled to start coming in late summer," said the mayor, referring to the buses.
The mayor said another budget highlight is the plan to address homelessness in the City of Detroit.
Duggan said they plan to double the number of immediate shelter beds and increase the number of outreach workers.
He said, "As we have learned in the tragic circumstances this month, we need to do more. So were proposing that that general fund contribution go from $6 million to $8.4 million."
The proposed budget also includes:
$14.1 million for Police public safety current services support $2.0 million for Grow Detroits Young Talent As well as $69 million in one-time investments, across all funds, supported by the previous years surplus and one-time revenues: $30.0 million for Risk Management Fund $14.0 million for freeway cleanup, alleys, and commercial corridors $4.4 million for continuation of Community Violence Intervention $3.0 million for Fire/EMS overtime to support new recruit transition $2.5 million for Motor City Match
Duggan also said he's prioritizing figuring out what's next for the GM Renaissance Center, saying he doesn't want to leave it behind as a problem for the city when he leaves.
The city council will have public hearings on the budget this spring.
This presentation hints at the end of an era in Detroit.
Duggan walked away from his last budget proposal, proud of what Detroit has accomplished during his now 11 years in office.
"It was a city that didnt have a lot of hope; it is a very different city today," said Duggan
Fourteen-year-old Danielle Khalaf said that an experience with her teacher at East Middle School in Plymouth has made 8th grade an anxious experience for her.
She said that it started on January 10, when the Pledge of Allegiance started playing over school speakers.
"I decided I wanted to sit down because I didnt feel comfortable standing because of whats happening in Palestine," said Danielle. "After the Pledge was over the teacher addressed the class and said that anyone that was sitting down was being very disrespectful to soldiers, to America."
Danielle said that after class, she went to the teacher to explain why she was sitting, but says the teacher spoke over her continuously, ultimately saying; "Since you live in this country and enjoy its freedom, if you dont like it, you should go back to [your] country."
"I was sobbing, and I ran out of the room crying," said Danielle.
She said that she ran into a different teacher and then went to the counselor's office.
Her father Jacob Khalaf said that they have since learned that the teacher admitted to the statement.
"Their only solution was to put my daughter in a different class as opposed to doing anything with the teacher; they wouldnt tell us what type of disciplinary action, if any, was taken," said Jacob.
7 News Detroit reached out to Plymouth-Canton Schools. They issued this statement:
<div class="cms-textAlign-left">The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our top priority. We want to be clear that discrimination in any form is not tolerated by Plymouth-Canton Community Schools and is taken very seriously. P-CCS remains committed to fostering an environment where all students, staff, and community members feel safe, respected, and valued.</div><div class="cms-textAlign-left"></div><div class="cms-textAlign-left">The district became aware of this incident after it occurred. As with all complaints, an investigation was conducted, and appropriate action was taken in alignment with district policies and procedures. Because this is a personnel matter, we are unable to share specific details regarding the employee involved.</div><div class="cms-textAlign-left"></div><div class="cms-textAlign-left">To support those affected, the district facilitated restorative practices between the teacher and students to address any harm and foster understanding.</div>
The Arab American Civil Rights League, or ACRL, held a press conference Thursday to address Danielle's story.
Executive Director for the ACRL, Mariam Charara, said, "Based on what Danielle is letting us know, is that the administration had restorative practice in the classroom with the teacher and the other students, but the only student who was not in the classroom was Danielle herself."
The ACRL said they sent the following letter to the school, demanding they take action, and the claim the school has not:
According to the ACRL, Danielle's story is a direct violation of her First Amendment right, and they've filed a formal complaint with the Michigan Department of Civil Rights.
They say that if the district does not take action, they will file a lawsuit.
"I think the teacher needs to be removed," said Jacob.
"It was traumatizing, it hurt, and I know she could do that to other people," said Danielle.
Around 7 p.m. Tuesday, a 911 call spread panic through Wyandotte. The caller reported two men stuck in a deep hole.
Wyandotte police officers, the fire department, and special rescue teams raced to the area of 17th Street and Walnut Street, where the two workers were stuck.
Community members from blocks away came to watch.
Aiden Wilson described it as "Absolutely crazy."
Estevan Vasquez added, "Cars flying through, people are coming outside, I heard a helicopter coming down."
One of the workers was able to free himself quickly, but first responders worked for four-and-a-half hours to extricate the other worker.
Wednesday, at the site of the hole, we met JD Bombery. He is the owner of A&D Plumbing, the company the two men worked for.
He told us, "I cannot say more than enough good things for the first responders."
According to Bombery, the workers were installing a new sewer line when the two employees got stuck.
He knows the one that was saved very well. He said it's his brother, Doug.
He said, "When I say it's a family-run business, I mean family-run business."
According to Bombery, his team was almost done with their work Tuesday when a chunk of the wall came down on his brother's leg.
He said the dirt was wet and heavy. That's what prohibited his brother Doug from getting out of the hole.
Bombery said, "Another helper that was outside the hole, who wasnt looking at the situation, heard that a chunk of the wall cave and got kind of panicky and called 911."
Chief of the Wyandotte Fire Department, Jeremy Moline, told us, "When youre digging trenches that far down, there should be safety precautions. We are trying to figure out if those were in place."
MOISHA is now investigating the incident.
Many have said the hole the men were in was around 20 feet deep. Bombery said it was more like 9 feet deep.
His brother Doug has been released from the hospital and is now on his way home.
"Hes in good spirit," said Bombery. "Little shooken up, who wouldnt be after laying in a hole for four-and-a-half hours?
The three children allegedly abandoned for years in Pontiac have been receiving treatment at CARE House of Oakland County, according to the sheriffs office.
The bright, warm building is a stark contrast to the filth and grime the children spent almost five years abandoned in.
Blythe Tyler is the president and CEO. She explained how the organization partners with authorities.
Law enforcement first calls us and sets up the interview, so that that child can come to a safe place and be able to tell their experience," she said.
Video: Take a look inside the forensic interview room at CARE House Inside the forensic interview room at CARE House
At CARE House, children are given a safe space to pick out a stuffed animal, play and share their trauma. Its the first step in working through years of abuse.
The Oakland County Sheriffs Office said that the children were given no hygiene products since 2020, had no access to education or a parents love.
Related video: Mom in Pontiac abandonment case gets $250M bond; judge calls her a 'continued danger' Mom in Pontiac abandonment case gets $250M bond on child abuse charges
There are things called failure to thrive. With neglect comes a lot of different ramifications on how well they learn, how well they are able to talk, how well they are able to function, said Tricia Schuster, the vice president of programs at CARE House.
Its been nearly one week since the children were found inside the Pontiac home during a wellness check for their mother.
Maintenance contractor Omar Tame told us that he was there and watched as horrified officers entered the home.
Seeing the condition of the house, it was feces everywhere, Tame said. Then we heard some kids, sounded like they were crying.
Tame shared that the two girls were locked in a bathroom and when the kids came down, they escorted them out, they couldnt even walk, like they never seen outside in years.
Related video: Crews begin cleaning out home where 3 Pontiac kids were left abandoned for years Crews begin cleaning out home where 3 Pontiac kids were left abandoned for years
When asked what the kids looked like, Tame said their hair was very matted. It didnt even look like hair, it looked like fur. It was very, very scary.
We are told the childrens mother, 33-year-old Kelli Marie Bryant, would periodically drop off food and told the children to never answer the door or leave the home.
CARE House said that it is frequently fear from an authority figure that keeps a child from seeking help.
Related video: Sheriff Bouchard proposes change to state law after Pontiac kids neglect case Sheriff Bouchard proposes change to state law after Pontiac kids neglect case
It will take time and treatment for these children to recover from unimaginable abuse, but CARE House says it is possible.
Children are amazingly resilient. Youll see children come out of horrific situations and they seem to be blossoming. Its not that they blossom right away they blossom because theyve been given those resources, Schuster said. They learn that they are important. They learn that what happened to them is not OK.
If you see something, say something. It can take as little as one person speaking up to rescue a child.
If you know a child who is being neglected or abused, you can make a report to the state by calling 855-444-3911 and find more info at this link.
We're once again seeing below-zero wind chills in metro Detroit, something that we also saw a few weeks ago.
During that time, we showed you the sad truth, that in freezing temperatures, dogs across the city are tied up with heavy chains and in some cases, dying.
However, the story doesn't end there. Many of you wanted to know how this is legal. It's not.
Watch below: My January report with the KARENs as they rescued dogs in the extreme cold
We rode along with a nonprofit rescuing dogs in extreme cold. Here's what we saw
"Both are underweight, both are on illegal chains, this one has an injury to its front leg," Chantal Rzewnicki said. "Its sad, look at the life of that, you get to go back and forth on a three-foot chain."
All year long, there are dogs illegally chained, emaciated, freezing to death. So many of you have asked, "what is going on?" and wondered how it's legal.
"Its a vicious cycle. Here we are two weeks later, nothing has changed," Rzewnicki said.
In Detroit, it is illegal to have a dog on a steel chain, or any tether, other than a coated steel cable. It is illegal to have a dog on a tether that is not at least three times the length of the dog. It is illegal to have a dog tethered for more than three hours per day.
Yet, I was with the KARENS as they visited two dogs one quite pregnant illegally chained weeks after they said they called Detroit Animal Care and Control.
Rzewnicki and Melanie Thomas tell me that Detroit Animal Care and Control (DACC) informed them they did come out a few weeks ago and the owner took the dogs inside. But since then, they have checked in to see the dogs living in the same conditions.
"Theres no reason that these follow-ups are not getting done. You cant tell me you have that many calls," Thomas said.
"Do you feel that this is a direct example of a follow-up not happening?" I asked.
"Correct," Rzewnicki said.
"100% correct," Thomas added.
I took these concerns directly to Crystal Perkins, the director of Detroit's General Services department, which oversees DACC.
"This dog right here as you can see is pretty pregnant," I showed her.
"Ill have to investigate to see what happened," Perkins said.
"Does the city feel they have adequate staff to respond to these calls?" I asked.
"So we do follow up. We cant go to a house every single day, as you know, we can only go to educate," Perkins said. "We can go to educate, we can go out today, we can go out in three days and theyve made the corrections, but who is to say they didn't revert back to their old ways?"
DACC released this graphic showing that in January alone, they took in 557 dogs and 60 cats.
Perkins tells me they have 23 DACC officers patrolling every day. When I asked why they don't always change out the illegal chains and stuff outdoor houses like The KARENS do, I was told it was because they often do not have the supplies on hand.
She said their focus is education, that this treatment of animals is learned.
"I believe because its something that has been passed down from generations," Perkins said. "'This is how our family always does it.' 'Ive had dogs since I was little, we kept the dogs outside, the dog has fur, we kept the dog on a chain to keep him in the yard,'" she said.
According to Perkins, the first visit from DACC is an opportunity for the dog owner to correct the problem. If they don't, they'll be issued a ticket and begin the court process. The goal is to keep animals home and out of the shelter.
Back on the streets with the KARENs, we saw education saving lives first-hand.
"Small frequent meals throughout the day, and then itll help get that body weight back up and then we can get you some deworming medicine," Thomas told one man they visited.
What started as a call for two emaciated, illegally chained dogs has turned into a Detroit dog owner graciously accepting help and committing to a change.
See how The KARENs worked with the man in the video below
Ride-along with The Karens as they help Detroit dogs in the cold
"Do you think that there could be more done in the city to let people know about that?" I asked.
"Yes ma'am," he said. "Telling people about it in Detroit, not to put them around their dogs necks. But Im learning a little bit."
Since we shot this story, Chantal gave me and update and sent photos of the two dogs featured in the video above. She said they have gained weight, and the KARENs have dewormed them and brought them crates so they can stay inside. You can see updated photos of them below.
It's not perfect, but it's improvement and it keeps these KARENs fighting for the little guys.
"You watch, in three weeks, well go back there, and theyll be different dogs," Rzewnicki said.
The KARENs are 100% donation-based and many of you have been gracious and donated to them after our first story.
It's been nearly three weeks since a 5-year-old boy was killed in a hyperbaric chamber explosion at the Oxford Recovery Center in Troy.
As the family of 5-year-old Thomas Cooper mourns his death, they're also beginning to fight for answers on how the explosion happened and what couldve prevented his death.
"Under no circumstances should anything like this ever happen ever," said James Harrington, managing partner at Fieger Law.
Harrington is representing the Royal Oak family.
"When we met with the family, it was one of the most heartbreaking things Ive ever seen," he told 7 News Detroit.
The morning of Jan. 31, Thomas was at the Oxford Recovery Center in Troy receiving treatment in a hyperbaric chamber, which is something Thomas had done before for his ADHD and sleep apnea.
Previous coverage: 5-year-old boy killed in hyperbaric chamber explosion loved running, swimming; GoFundMe set up for family 5-year-old boy killed in hyperbaric chamber explosion loved running, swimming; GoFundMe set up for family
"It was private pay. It wasnt insurance. It was money that they had worked hard to earn to pay for this," Harrington said. "He had, I believe, 35 treatments, and this happened on the 36th treatment."
On that 36th treatment, the hyperbaric chamber that Thomas was in exploded.
Harrington said that something many do not know is that Thomas' mother tried to save her baby boy.
"She was in the waiting room and was alerted that something was going wrong and rushed back, and he was engulfed in flames and she was trying to get him out and sustained significant burns to her arm," Harrington said.
Previous coverage: 5-year-old boy killed after hyperbaric chamber explodes in Troy 5-year-old boy killed after hyperbaric chamber explodes in Troy
He said that the physical wounds will be permanent. And there's the lifelong emotional pain that everyone in Thomas' family will endure including his mom, dad and 3-year-old little brother.
"Hes having a tough time," Harrington said.
What's left today is to fight for answers, which is why Harrington said he is working with the Coopers.
He said their team at Feiger is investigation "everything."
"Everything. We are investigating everything. So, we have sent out letters to preserve all the evidence," Harrington said.
He said that in the next few weeks, they will be filing some type of lawsuit with the end goal of learning why the chamber exploded, what could have prevented it and finding a way to make sure this never happens to another child.
When asked what the community can do to show the Cooper family their support, Harrington replied "I think the most important thing for the family is to pray."
Thursday evening marks the two-year anniversary of the Michigan State University school shooting.
On Feb. 12, 2023, a shooter opened fire on MSU's campus, killing three students Brian Fraser, Arielle Anderson and Alexandria Verner.
The gunman also shot and forever altered the lives of five other students, including Nate Statly from Fenton.
Nate and his family have never sat down for an interview before, but they shared their story exclusively with me because, as they say, "people need to know what happens to gun violence victims after the tragedy."
Watch our full interview with Nate and his family in the videos below
Family of MSU shooting survivor Nate Statly talks about his recovery & struggles Nate Statly, Michigan State shooting survivor, speaks 2 years after shooting
Their journey is both devasting and hopeful with many surprising twists.
"They should do a better job to keep schools safe," Nate told us.
Nate sat down to tell us his story for the first time.
"I woke up in the hospital. I had no idea what happened, and then when they told me I was like, I lived through that?'" he said.
Inside Berkey Hall on the MSU campus, Nate was shot in the head. His mother, Amy, told us where.
"Right above the ear over here," Amy said.
"The bullet still remains," his father, Tom, said.
He has no memory of the months leading up to the shooting or the months following it, but his family does.
"We started calling the hospitals. They told us they did not have him at the hospital. And his roommate again told us, 'I have him on iMap at Sparrow Hospital,'" Amy said.
At the hospital, Amy, Tom and his brothers, Josh and Ben, were told that if Nate survived, his quality of life may be dismal.
"We lost it at that point. And then we had to basically make a decision like, do you want to save him or not?" Tom said. "There's no way I could let him go. We all felt the same way. So, were in for the long haul."
"It was six months in four different hospital facilities," Josh told us.
"At one point, spinal fluid started to leak from his head," Amy said.
"So we were saying goodbye almost daily," Josh added.
"I always think, what happens if we're not around tomorrow?" Tom said.
"Not being able to communicate what youre thinking? I have to imagine that is incredibly frustrating," I asked.
"Yeah, when we first started it was 1 for 'yes,' 2 for 'no,'" Nate said.
Two years, 15 surgeries and hundreds of physical therapy sessions later, Nate is working to walk and talk again.
Now, the Statly family tells me the insurance companies want their money back.
"Both insurance companies that we have have sent us letters that they are doing subrogation," Amy said. "They want to be paid back."
According to the Statly family, one insurance company is asking them for $2 million. Another, they say, has informed them they will only play for 30 more of Nate's physical therapy sessions, which doctors say he will likely need for the rest of his life.
In 2023, they say that Michigan State told them they would pay for the five shooting survivors' medical bills. The Statlys say they have heard nothing since. A year ago, the university gave $5 million settlements to the families of the three shooting victims who died.
"And we're like, 'well, if the medical bills were covered, where did this $2 million come from?' We don't know what MSU actually paid," Amy said.
"So you still don't know if they're going to offer you a settlement?" I asked. "No," Tom and Amy said.
"We've been very patiently waiting. We have not. We have not spoken poorly about MSU. You know, he loves MSU," Amy added.
"On top of this part of it, the memorials. They don't even mention the five," Amy said. "How come they're not remembered? How come they're not recognized? You know, they're heroes."
"Its disgusting, disappointing. I want to see the schools take some responsibility and take more measures to protect the kids," Nate said.
"Do you think that there are things that MSU could have done better to protect its students?" I asked.
"Yeah, they could have put locks on the doors, and that guy would have never been able to get in," he said.
Since the shooting, MSU has pledged to add locks to 1,300 classrooms, as well as additional security cameras. In the U.S. in 2023, there were 82 school shootings. In 2024, a new record was set with 83.
Amber McCann, a Michigan State University spokesperson, released this statement to 7 News Detroit:
"MSU acknowledges the profound impact that February 13th had on students and their families. Their determination and resilience are inspiring, and the university is privileged to honor their strength on todays anniversary as we gather to heal and support those impacted by the violence our campus experienced. President Guskiewicz is in direct communication with those who have engaged with him on this matter. He has offered to meet with them, and he has made clear his commitment to honoring them and supporting their needs.Furthermore, the university is bound by law not to disclose the names of the injured students, and as such, we cannot identify them or comment on their medical conditions and specific care. We recognize that some students have chosen to publicly identify themselves, and we respect their right to do so.The university continues to be engaged in an active dialogue with injured students and is committed to resolving outstanding legal issues through an agreed upon resolution."
"We all have to push for change," Tom said.
Amid adversity that would crush most, Nate continues to fight for change himself.
"My brother Josh has a saying, the most important step is the next one,'" Nate said.
This April 26, Nate will turn 23. He will also get a trained companion dog that Nate has always dreamed of. He also has other dreams.
"I want to go skiing, I want to shoot skeet, I want to play pool again," he said.
The 2023 shooting almost took everything away from Nate, but it didn't take his mom, his dad, and his two brothers. Together, they're continuing to take one step forward every day.
"Even afterwards, watching him go through all these struggles, I'm like, did we make the right decision for him? You know, we wanted to keep him alive, obviously. But, you know,.. Would he be happy in the life he's got? And I think you are," Amy said to Nate.
"Yeah," he said.
"And glad you're here," Amy said.
"Im definitely glad Im here," Nate added.
I cannot emphasize how excited Nate is about getting his dog, Remi, this spring.
I did reach out to Michigan State regarding the Statly family's story, but I have not heard back. I also reached out to their insurance companies and have an ongoing discussion with them at this time.
This past fall, Nate and his family met with the other four MSU shooting survivors and their families. He tells me they do remember the horrific night, and their lifelong injuries, including paralysis, are devastating.
The Oakland County Sheriff's Department is searching for a suspect wanted for breaking into homes and targeting young girls.
Communications Director for the Pontiac Housing Commission Natalie Brodatold 7 News Detroit that throughout the neighborhood there's, "a little bit of fear, apprehension."
"There are people who are literally out and about speaking with their neighbors," she said. "I know I have been."
According to the Sheriff's Department, the suspect broke into four homes on December 23, January 25, January 26, and early this Tuesday morning.
PREVIOUS REPORT: Officials believe suspect targeting girls in string of Pontiac home invasion incidents Officials believe suspect targeting girls in string of Pontiac home invasion incidents
Each time he gained entry through an unlocked window and was targeting young girls. Three of the four times, he was armed with a knife.
Thankfully, each of the victims is safe today.
Still, our team spoke to the moms of two of the victims, who both shared that they no longer feel safe.
PREVIOUS REPORT: Mothers of young Pontiac home invasion victims speak out, sheriff issues warning Mothers of young Pontiac home invasion victims speak out, sheriff issues warning
"Im moving," said mom, Shauntay Pryor. "I'm leaving in the next couple weeks.
Mom Monica Smith said, "I'm, like, nervous. I'm not staying in my house again. I'm moving."
7 News Detroit spoke with the Mayor of Pontiac, Tim Greimel.
He shared, "We are taking this very seriously, I know that this is terrifying for people, this is really an invasion of privacy."
Greimel said that the city is asking all residents to double-check the locks on their doors and windows while the city collaborates with the sheriff's department to find this suspect.
"The Oakland County Sheriff's office has deployed additional deputies, particularly in areas where he is suspected of operating and at hours of the day that he has been operating," said Greimel.
Greimel also shared that they are using aerial surveillance as part of their patrol.
Investigators say the suspect is estimated to be thin, between 5'7 and 6 feet, and around 17-to-21 years old.
"There is progress being made," said Greimel. "There are some genetic tests being run, there are fingerprints being taken, and we have some very positive leads. Im very confident that we will catch him and we will bring him to justice because there is progress being made on this investigation."
If you know anything about this, you are asked to reach out to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.
There is a $1,000 reward for information that may lead to an arrest.
Jennifer Crumbley was back in court Friday, this time with a new attorney, fighting for a completely new trial.
PREVIOUS REPORT: Jennifer Crumbley challenging conviction in Oxford school shooting Jennifer Crumbley challenging conviction in Oxford school shooting
Crumbley's new attorney, Michael Dezsi, told Oakland County Judge Cheryl Matthews that Crumbley deserves a new trial because "proffer agreements" made by the prosecution were not properly disclosed.
A proffer agreement is a legally binding contract between a defendant or witness and a federal prosecutor.
In this case, it would allow the witness to provide information on the stand with the agreement that the government won't use it against them in court.
Additional Video: Michael Dezsi, new attorney for Jennifer Crumbley, speaks on motion to toss conviction Michael Dezsi, new attorney for Jennifer Crumbley, speaks on motion to toss conviction
Judge Matthews said Friday morning that she was "Very, very interested in hearing arguments about the proffer."
The two proffer agreements Dezsi referred to Friday were ones the prosecution made in 2024 with Oxford High School counselor Shawn Hopkins and former Dean of Students Nicholas Ejak.
The prosecution did not tell the defense about the agreements during the 2024 trial, which Desi argues is a violation of the discovery rule.
The discovery rule requires that, upon request, the prosecuting attorney provide any plea agreement, grant of immunity, or other agreement for testimony in connection with the case.
"Those school officials who sat down with the Prosecutor's office could say anything they wanted in that room, knowing that whatever they said could not be used against them at any later time. That is a grant of use immunity," said Dezsi. "They dangled that carrot to get them to cooperate."
The prosecution argued against Dezsi's claims, saying there was no discovery violation, the witnesses were not required to testify, and there was no immunity guaranteed.
"There was no grant of immunity, Judge," said Oakland County Assistant Prosecutor Marc Keast.
"It's not use of immunity?" replied Judge Matthews.
"It is not, Judge. The only way to grant immunity is to petition the court for immunity," said Keast.
Nicholas Ejak and Shawn Hopkins met with the Oxford school shooter and his parents, Jennifer and James Crumbley, on the day of the shooting. Each was a witness that Jennifer Crumbley did not search her son's backpack or take him home that day.
PREVIOUS REPORT: James and Jennifer Crumbley sentenced to 10-15 years in Oxford case James and Jennifer Crumbley sentenced to 10-15 years in Oxford case
The defense argued that without the proffer agreements, their testimony would not have been heard.
Outside of the courtroom, Dezsi said, "They cheated, and they engaged in deceit. They had an absolute duty to produce those agreements, and those agreements could have changed the outcome of the case. Im just getting started here."
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said, "There was no conspiracy, and there was no decision to hide. We dont keep secrets, we dont hide anything."
At the end of court Friday, Judge Matthews said she would take some time to make her decision. She did hint that she would likely not decide on a new trial.
Do you really think Im going to do that? Matthews asked Dezsi.
Dezsi replied, No, but I want you to because I think you should."
Meagan Ward is a powerhouse and has made it her mission to put women at the forefront of business. She does so through her organization, Femology.
"Its like the science of women in business," Ward said.
She said that it all started 11 years ago when she was running her marketing company out of "coffee shops and libraries and anywhere I could."
She came across dozens of other women doing the same each looking for a way to network and grow their business.
"I started to ideate what would this look like to bring all these women under one roof?" Ward said.
Thus the idea of Femology was born.
Statistically, 48% of women in business lack competent advisers to guide them through entrepreneurship.
Femology gives their members access to that and much more through their Female Founders School.
"Female Founders School is an all-encompassing program where you get access to entrepreneurial education, mentors, advisers and also funding opportunities," Ward explained.
"Ive already told my friends about it," Sam Cerwin said.
Cerwin is a Femology member and the owner of BeReworn.
She said that the Female Founder School helped her grow her business.
"My favorite part is the ecosystem," Cerwin said. "Being supported by other female founders, I think that is something you can benefit a lot from."
A report by Babson College found that less than 3% of companies with venture capital funding had female CEOs.
On Saturday, Femology will celebrate their grand opening at Newlab at Michigan Central Station and will continue working to change that statistic.
Ward said that hundreds of driven women have already applied to be members.
"It feels very much a revival. We still have so much work to do," Ward said.
For much of the beginning of this week it will be in the single digits outside, begging the question: how cold is too cold when it comes to schools staying open?
Our team met with Hazel Park Schools Superintendent Amy Kruppe to ask. She told us that on Monday, she and other Oakland County superintendents had a conference Zoom meeting to discuss the question.
"We have some meteorologists that get on with us and really give us an idea of what the weather is going to be," Kruppe said. "Is it certain? Could it potentially move?"
Kruppe said that the superintendents discuss the pros and cons of staying open.
When asked if there is a certain threshold, degree-wise, for canceling, Kruppe said, "Well, I think anytime that you are in the negative temperatures, double digits, there is a grave concern for superintendents. Different districts in Oakland County have different concerns. So for me, I have a tremendous amount of walkers."
Walkers are a top concern, and also any students who wait at district bus stops.
"When youre getting into those lower temperatures, its 20 to 30 minutes before kids can get frostbit," said Kruppe. "We never want to put them in that situation."
For that reason, Kruppe and many other superintendents have chosen to close for Tuesday and Wednesday.
Kruppe said that the pros of staying open include keeping up with the school curriculum and ensuring that kids get the free breakfast and lunch that the school provides.
However, when it's this cold, she believes that it's better to be safe and cancel.
"If you have to take a chance on someone getting hurt or getting frostbit or losing safety getting to school, I think that outweighs the other side of that for kids," said Kruppe.
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