Birmingham, Alabama, August 6, 2025
News Summary
A 54-year-old woman has been arrested following the death of 3-year-old K.J. Starkes Jr., who was left unattended in a hot car for five hours. The incident has prompted calls for accountability in Alabama’s foster care system. K.J. was found unresponsive after being left in the vehicle during extreme heat, raising critical concerns about child care oversight and safety protocols. Kela Stanford, who had been responsible for transporting the child, has been charged under the Amiyah White Act as investigations continue into the DHR’s handling of the situation.
Birmingham, Alabama – Kela Stanford, a 54-year-old woman, has been arrested and charged in connection with the tragic death of 3-year-old Ke’Torrius “K.J.” Starkes Jr., who was left unattended in a hot car for several hours on July 22. The incident has raised significant concerns regarding the safety and oversight of children in foster care systems.
The charge against Stanford stems from her actions while transporting K.J., who was under the care of the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) at the time of his death. K.J. was reportedly left in the vehicle for approximately five hours, from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., during which temperatures soared above 96 degrees, and the heat index exceeded 100 degrees. This resulted in K.J. being found unresponsive when authorities arrived at the scene around 6:03 p.m. He was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.
Stanford, who was employed by Covenant Services—a company contracted by DHR for child transportation—was booked into the Jefferson County Jail following the incident and posted a $30,000 bond just hours later. The charge against her falls under the Amiyah White Act, legislation designed to prevent situations wherein children or incapacitated individuals are left unattended in vehicles.
In the aftermath of K.J.’s death, state leaders, including Governor Kay Ivey and State Representative Patrick Sellers, have expressed their calls for accountability and potential reforms within DHR regarding child safety protocols. The biological and foster families of K.J. are devastated and are questioning the circumstances that led to such a tragedy while under the care of child welfare providers.
Reports indicate that in a recorded phone call, Stanford acknowledged that she had forgotten K.J. was in the vehicle after she had run errands instead of promptly returning him to daycare. Investigations are ongoing into the procedures and oversight of DHR in relation to K.J.’s care and the events leading up to his death.
K.J.’s funeral is scheduled for August 2 at Sixth Avenue Beulah Baptist Church, with a candlelight vigil set for the evening of August 1 to honor the young boy.
Due to confidentiality regulations, DHR has stated it cannot provide specific comments regarding the identity of the child involved in this incident. However, they are cooperating with investigations to ensure that best practices and proper protocols are upheld moving forward.
Background Context
Incidents of children being left unattended in vehicles have sparked public outcry and legislative action in recent years. The Amiyah White Act was enacted to help mitigate risks by ensuring that caregivers are held accountable for their responsibilities towards the welfare and safety of children under their care. In light of K.J.’s tragic death, leaders are advocating for greater oversight within the system to prevent similar occurrences from happening in the future.
Key Information Summary
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Victim | Ke’Torrius “K.J.” Starkes Jr., 3 years old |
| Caregiver | Kela Stanford, 54 years old |
| Incident Date | July 22 |
| Time Left in Car | Approximately 5 hours (12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.) |
| Temperatures at Time | Over 96 degrees |
| Charge | Leaving a child in a vehicle (Amiyah White Act) |
| Bond Amount | $30,000 |
| Funeral Date | August 2 |
FAQ
Who is Kela Stanford?
Kela Stanford is a 54-year-old woman charged in connection with the death of 3-year-old K.J. Starkes Jr. She was responsible for transporting K.J. under the Alabama Department of Human Resources.
What happened to K.J. Starkes?
K.J. Starkes died after being left unattended in a hot car for approximately five hours on July 22, with temperatures soaring above 96 degrees.
What charges has Kela Stanford faced?
Kela Stanford faces charges of leaving a child in a vehicle under the Amiyah White Act, which aims to protect children and incapacitated persons from being left unattended in vehicles.
What is the Amiyah White Act?
The Amiyah White Act is legislation enacted to prevent individuals from leaving children or incapacitated persons unattended in vehicles, ensuring greater accountability for caregivers.
When is K.J.’s funeral?
K.J.’s funeral is scheduled for August 2 at Sixth Avenue Beulah Baptist Church, with a candlelight vigil taking place the evening prior on August 1.
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Additional Resources
- WWNYTV: DHS Contract Worker Arrested in Hot Car Death
- AL.com: Former DHR Contract Worker Charged in Hot Car Death
- CNN: K.J. Starkes Hot Car Death Arrest
- WBRC: Woman Arrested in Hot Car Death of 3-Year-Old
- Wikipedia: Hot Car Death
- Google Search: K.J. Starkes hot car death
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.
