A heartbreaking tragedy is shaking Birmingham, Alabama, after a 3-year-old boy died in the backseat of a hot car — allegedly forgotten for hours by a state contractor assigned to protect him.
Ke’Torrius Starkes Jr., a toddler in foster care, was found dead after being left inside a sweltering vehicle for over five hours on July 22. Temperatures were soaring into the triple digits, and now, the woman responsible for his safety is behind bars.
A Routine Visit Turns into a Devastating Loss
According to Birmingham Police, Ke’Torrius had just finished a supervised visitation with his biological father, part of a court-mandated process coordinated by Alabama’s Department of Human Resources (DHR).
Kela Stanford, a contracted worker for DHR, was tasked with transporting the child to daycare after the visit. But instead, authorities say she forgot him in the backseat of her car — during one of the hottest days of the year.
Police believe Ke’Torrius remained trapped in the vehicle from approximately 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., as temperatures outside reportedly reached over 100°F.
Arrest Made After Child’s Death
On Friday, August 1, Stanford was formally arrested and charged with a felony under Alabama’s law prohibiting the unattended confinement of a child or incapacitated person in a vehicle, which creates an unreasonable risk of harm or injury.
The Birmingham Police Department released a statement confirming Stanford’s arrest, citing the extreme danger caused by her alleged negligence.
“At this time, the only thing that I can say is that we believe it [the child’s death] was accidental,”
— Sgt. Laquitta Wade, Birmingham Police, told NBC News
Still, the criminal charge signals that the state considers the negligence serious enough to pursue justice for the child’s wrongful death — even if the intent wasn’t malicious.
Family Speaks Out: ‘He Should’ve Been with Us’
The boy’s devastated family is now demanding answers — and justice.
Courtney French, the family’s attorney, told PEOPLE that the situation would have never happened if the toddler hadn’t been removed from his home in the first place.
“Had he been with his parents, nothing like this would have ever occurred,” French said.
Ke’Torrius had been placed in temporary foster care, and Stanford — a private contractor hired by DHR — was managing his visitation and transportation logistics.
Outrage Over Preventable Tragedy
The story has ignited outrage and grief across Alabama and beyond, with many asking how such a fatal oversight could happen within a system designed to protect vulnerable children.
Online, the public is expressing heartbreak and fury:
- “This child died in the care of the state. There needs to be accountability.”
- “We trust social workers and contractors with our kids — this is unacceptable.”
- “No child should ever be forgotten in a car. Ever.”
What You Should Know About Hot Car Deaths
Ke’Torrius’s death is part of a devastating but all-too-common phenomenon in the U.S.
According to KidsAndCars.org, more than 950 children have died in hot cars nationwide since 1998. In many cases, caregivers simply forget the child is in the car — a condition known as “Forgotten Baby Syndrome”.
Even with windows cracked, the interior of a car can reach deadly temperatures in just 10 minutes — especially dangerous for infants and toddlers, whose bodies heat up 3–5 times faster than adults.
Preventing Hot Car Tragedies: Safety Tips
Experts recommend several preventative steps for parents and caregivers:
- Always check the back seat before locking the car.
- Put personal items (like your phone or purse) in the back seat to force a visual check.
- Use reminder systems or car seat alarms, many of which are now built into modern vehicles.
- Call 911 immediately if you see a child alone in a vehicle.
Hot car deaths are 100% preventable — but they continue to occur because of minor lapses that result in catastrophic outcomes.
What’s Next for the Case?
Stanford is currently facing felony charges, and the Birmingham Police Department says the investigation remains ongoing.
Meanwhile, DHR has yet to release a detailed statement regarding the circumstances that led to the child’s death or what changes will be made to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
A spokesperson previously confirmed to PEOPLE that Ke’Torrius was being transported by a contracted worker at the time — not a DHR employee — raising more concerns about oversight and training within the system.
A Life Cut Tragically Short
Ke’Torrius Starkes Jr. was just 3 years old — a child who should’ve had his entire life ahead of him. A boy whose final hours were spent in unimaginable heat and silence, just feet away from help.
As the investigation continues and his family mourns, one thing is heartbreakingly clear: this didn’t have to happen.
What are your thoughts on this tragic story? Should state contractors face stricter oversight? Let us know in the comments below.
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