Birmingham, Alabama, July 24, 2025
News Summary
A 3-year-old boy tragically lost his life after being left unattended in a vehicle during extreme heat in Birmingham, Alabama. The incident raised concerns about child safety protocols, as the child was in foster care and left in the car by a contracted employee. Investigations are ongoing to prevent future tragedies and improve child welfare oversight.
Birmingham, Alabama – A 3-year-old boy named Keterrius “KJ” Starks Jr. tragically lost his life after being left unattended in a vehicle under extreme heat conditions. The incident was reported on July 22, 2025, on the 1500 block of Pine Tree Drive.
KJ was discovered inside the hot car between the hours of 12:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 6:03 p.m. by responders from the Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service. The boy had been left in the vehicle while under the care of a contracted employee from Covenant Services, an organization contracted by the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR).
At the time of the incident, the vehicle was turned off and all windows were rolled up, leaving KJ in dangerous conditions. The contracted employee from Covenant Services responsible for his supervision has since been terminated from their position. The DHR has stated it cannot disclose additional details about the incident or the child’s identity due to confidentiality rules.
Family members of KJ indicated that he was currently in foster care and was scheduled to return to daycare following a visitation with his biological father. Ke’Torrius Starkes Sr. last saw his son during a scheduled meeting at the DHR office in Bessemer on the same day. After the visitation concluded around 11:30 a.m., it has been reported that the worker responsible for transporting KJ stopped to get food and complete shopping errands before returning home and leaving KJ unattended in the car.
According to the family’s attorney, the extreme temperatures that day likely contributed to the tragedy. The heat index was recorded at a sweltering 108 degrees, and it is believed that the temperature inside the vehicle may have surpassed 150 degrees. This unfortunate incident marks KJ as the first hot car death in Alabama for 2025 and the 16th child in the nation to perish from a hot car incident this year.
The Birmingham Police Department has initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding KJ’s death. The boy’s family has expressed deep sadness and their struggle to comprehend the tragic loss of such a young life in a preventable situation.
Investigation and Community Response
The ongoing investigation aims to determine the factors leading to KJ’s death. Community members and advocates are calling for better safety protocols to ensure the protection of children in foster care settings. The tragic event has reignited discussions about child welfare and the need for oversight in caring for vulnerable children.
Understanding the Risks of Hot Vehicles
Every year, numerous children fall victim to hot car incidents. Experts emphasize the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles, especially during the summer months when temperatures can spike rapidly. A car can heat up significantly even on mild days, leading to life-threatening conditions for those inside.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of child supervision and awareness of heat-related risks. Increased public awareness campaigns and strengthened procedures in agencies responsible for child welfare work are essential to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Keterrius “KJ” Starks Jr.?
KJ died after being left unattended in a hot car while in the care of a contracted employee from Covenant Services.
When and where did the incident occur?
The incident occurred on July 22, 2025, at the 1500 block of Pine Tree Drive in Birmingham, Alabama.
What are the details surrounding the supervision of KJ?
KJ was in foster care and left in a vehicle after a supervised visitation with his biological father. The contracted worker responsible for KJ’s supervision has been terminated.
What was the temperature like during the incident?
The heat index reached 108 degrees on the day of the incident, likely causing dangerous conditions inside the vehicle.
What actions are being taken following KJ’s death?
The Birmingham Police Department has launched an investigation into the incident, while community advocates are urging for reforms in child welfare protocols.
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Additional Resources
- WBRC: 3-year-old boy dies after being left in hot car in Birmingham
- ABC 33/40: Toddler found dead in hot car in Birmingham
- WLBT: 3-year-old boy dies in hot car after being left inside
- BBC News: 3-year-old found dead in car in Birmingham
- Al.com: 3-year-old Bessemer boy dead after being left in hot car
- Wikipedia: Heatstroke
- Google Search: Hot Car Child Safety
- Google Scholar: Hot Car Deaths Child Safety
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Child Welfare
- Google News: Child Hot Car Incidents
Author: STAFF HERE BIRMINGHAM WRITER
The BIRMINGHAM STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBirmingham.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Birmingham, Jefferson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Sidewalk Film Festival, Sloss Music & Arts Festival, Magic City Classic, and civil rights commemorations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as UAB Medicine, Regions Bank, and Encompass Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREHuntsville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
