Tragedy In Alabama: Toddler Dies

Toddler Dies After Being Left in Hot Car by State Contractor

Three-year-old Ke’Torrius “KJ” Starkes Jr. died after being left for hours in a hot car by a contracted worker for Alabama’s Department of Human Resources (DHR). On June 22, KJ was found unresponsive outside a Birmingham home after being left in the vehicle from 12:30 PM to 5:30 PM, when temperatures reached 96°F.

KJ had been taken from daycare for a supervised visit with his father. Afterward, the Covenant Services Inc. employee allegedly ran personal errands—including a smoke shop and food stop—before leaving the boy in the car and going home.

“This is a heartbreaking and preventable tragedy,” said the family’s attorney, Courtney French. “The very system that is in place for his protection was the system that led to his death.”

DHR confirmed the worker was fired. “Our baby should be alive,” KJ’s parents said in a statement. An investigation is ongoing, and no charges have been filed yet.

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