Update on Two Children Rescued from Dow Constantine’s Homeless Camp in Burien

On Tuesday, August 6, 2024, two young children were removed from the King County homeless encampment in Burien. This sanctioned camp is located next to the Burien police station and district courthouse. [Original article here: www.burien.news/blog/two-young-children-rescued-from-dows-homeless-camp]

Today, we spoke with Kristine Moreland, Burien’s homeless outreach service provider, who was instrumental in removing the boy, the girl, and their mother, from the encampment. All three are currently housed in a tiny home, with the understanding that if the mother returns to the Burien camp with her children, they will be removed from her custody. Anonymity for the family, especially due to the involvement of two minors, has been requested.

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According to Ms. Moreland, this family of three has been in hiding since the single mother lost her job and her home. They have been bouncing between homeless camps. On Tuesday, the mother was at the camp. And even though she is reportedly on Suboxone (treatment), she uses crystal meth to stay awake at night to watch over her children and keep them safe. Their story has “many layers.”

Fortunately, in this instance, the children were not being “trafficked,” however, the children were reportedly attacked at the homeless camp. The boy was assaulted with a metal pipe, and someone threw eggs at the girl. 

This is the third local child rescue Kristine has helped with this week. 

Many advocates, including King County and government workers, are operating under the premise that “we need to meet people where they are.” They often state, “homelessness is not a crime,” which is true. However, it is unclear how offering “harm reduction” meth pipes, foil and Narcan to addicts is helping people caught in escalating cycles of addiction, mental illness, and criminal behavior. 

White vans from King County regularly come to the Burien encampment and to the Burien Transit Center to distribute “harm reduction” tools to homeless addicts.

Moreland told us that when she gave the small family a key to their own tiny home, the little boy intensely hugged her feet out of sheer gratitude… “thank you thank you thank you.” 

The family now has three case workers, instead of none. Kristine assured us that she is working with the mother on developing a long-term plan because the mother is well-aware that homeless encampments like those in Burien are not safe for her children.

We will continue to bring you stories of hope and recovery in Burien.

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