BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC/Gray News) – A 3-year-old boy died after being left in a hot car in Birmingham, Alabama, on Tuesday while in the care of a Department of Human Resources contract worker.
The boy has been identified by family as Ke’Torrius “KJ” Starkes Jr., of Bessemer.
Authorities said KJ was found alone inside a hot vehicle that was parked at a home in the 1500 block of Pine Tree Drive. He was left in the car on Tuesday for five hours, 12:30-5:30 p.m., officials said.
Birmingham police said KJ was accidentally left inside the vehicle while in the care of Covenant Services, a third-party contracted worker through the Department of Human Resources.
Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service pronounced him dead at the scene.
DHR released the following statement:
“A child in DHR custody was being transported by a contract provider when the incident occurred. The provider has terminated their employee. Due to confidentiality, DHR cannot comment further regarding the identity of the child or the exact circumstances.”
Police said the contracted worker has been cooperative and was taken to the Birmingham Police Headquarters for questioning.
Both KJ’s biological and foster families are struggling to understand how such a tragedy could have occurred …
