Birmingham, AL — A former state-contracted caregiver is facing charges after a 3-year-old boy, who was under the care of the Alabama Department of Human Resources, was found dead inside a hot car, authorities confirmed Friday.
Child Found After Hours in Parked Vehicle
The child, identified as Ke’Torrius “KJ” Starkes Jr. of Bessemer, was discovered unresponsive Tuesday evening outside a Birmingham residence. According to the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office, the vehicle was turned off and all windows were rolled up. Investigators believe the child had been left in the car for approximately five hours before he was pronounced dead shortly after 6 p.m.
Former DHR Contractor Now Facing Charges
The woman responsible for the child’s care, Kela Stanford, was a third-party provider contracted by the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR). She has been formally charged with leaving a child unattended in a motor vehicle in a manner that creates an unreasonable risk of injury or harm.
“This is a terrible tragedy that was completely avoidable and unnecessary,” said Jefferson County District Attorney Danny Carr. “Our condolences go out to Ke’Torrius’s family.”
Stanford was booked into the Jefferson County Jail on Friday and released shortly afterward on bond, according to reports from KTLA. If convicted, she could face two to 20 years in prison.
Timeline of Events
According to the family’s attorney, Courtney French, the 3-year-old was being transported from daycare to a supervised visit with his father. The visit ended around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. Instead of returning the boy to daycare, Stanford allegedly ran personal errands and went home, leaving the child unattended in the parked vehicle.
The Birmingham Police Department said Stanford remained cooperative during questioning.
State and Family Reactions
A spokesperson for DHR confirmed that the child was under state care and that the woman was acting as a contracted transportation provider at the time of the incident.
“The provider has terminated their employee. Due to confidentiality, DHR cannot comment further regarding the identity of the child or the exact circumstances,” the agency said in a statement.
Hot Car Deaths: A Preventable Tragedy
Incidents like this highlight the dangers of vehicular heatstroke, particularly in southern states where temperatures inside a car can reach over 120°F within minutes.
Experts stress that children should never be left alone in a vehicle — even for a short time. Caregivers are urged to:
- Check the backseat every time before locking the car
- Use reminders, like placing personal items (bags or phones) next to the child’s seat
- Set alarms or alerts tied to daycare drop-off/pick-up schedules
In the U.S., dozens of children die each year from being left in hot vehicles — often unintentionally.
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