Charges Filed Against Former Contractor for Child’s Death in Alabama

Birmingham, Alabama, August 6, 2025

News Summary

Kela Stanford, a former contractor for Alabama’s Department of Human Resources, faces charges after the tragic death of 3-year-old Ke’Torrius Starkes Jr. Stanford allegedly left the child unattended in a hot vehicle for five hours. Following the incident that took place on Pine Tree Drive, she was charged under the Amiyah White Act, which aims to penalize those who leave vulnerable individuals alone in vehicles. The community has responded with outrage, and a candlelight vigil is planned in memory of Ke’Torrius.

Birmingham, Alabama – Kela Stanford, a former contractor for Alabama’s Department of Human Resources, faces charges related to the tragic death of 3-year-old Ke’Torrius Starkes Jr. Stanford has been charged with leaving a child unattended in a vehicle, which District Attorney Danny Carr stated created an unreasonable risk of harm. The incident took place on July 22 when Ke’Torrius was discovered lifeless in a hot car outside a residence on Pine Tree Drive.

Authorities reported that Ke’Torrius was left alone in the vehicle for approximately five hours, from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., before he was pronounced dead at 6:03 p.m. during a scheduled visit with his father. Stanford was responsible for transporting Ke’Torrius from daycare back to his father but neglected to do so. Instead, she allegedly ran several errands and returned home, forgetting that Ke’Torrius was still in her car.

Following her arrest, Stanford was booked and later released on a $30,000 bond. A preliminary court hearing is set for October 1, where she could face a prison sentence ranging from 2 to 20 years if convicted. Ke’Torrius had been in the foster care system and had been living with his foster family since birth.

In her audio apology, Stanford acknowledged her actions, indicating that she became sidetracked and failed to remember the child in the back seat of her vehicle. Investigators estimate that the interior temperature of the car exceeded 140 degrees, contributing to the tragic outcome. The charge against Stanford falls under the Amiyah White Act, a law designed to penalize individuals who leave young children or incapacitated persons unattended in vehicles.

Governor Kay Ivey described the death of Ke’Torrius as a result of “reprehensible and gross negligence,” and there has been significant community outrage demanding accountability. Calls for a comprehensive investigation into DHR’s practices and those of Covenant Services, the company that employed Stanford, have intensified. Access to their office is reportedly restricted, hampering the efforts to obtain further information.

The child’s aunt has publicly criticized Stanford for not checking the back seat of her car and expressed the family’s profound grief and anger over the incident. In memory of Ke’Torrius, a candlelight vigil and balloon release are planned outside the DHR building in Bessemer. His funeral is scheduled for Saturday at the Sixth Avenue Beulah Baptist Church.

Key Context and Implications

The tragic passing of Ke’Torrius Starkes Jr. has promoted subsequent discussions on the responsibilities of those caring for vulnerable children, particularly within the foster care system. The legal implications following this event may lead to stricter enforcement of the Amiyah White Act, alongside a reassessment of training and regulations for home care service providers in Alabama.

Upcoming Events

• Preliminary court hearing for Kela Stanford: October 1
• Candlelight vigil and balloon release for Ke’Torrius: Details to be announced
• Funeral for Ke’Torrius: Saturday at Sixth Avenue Beulah Baptist Church

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Tragic Death of Three-Year-Old KJ Starkes Jr. in Hot Car

Additional Resources

• WBRC – Woman Charged in Hot Car Death Misses First Court Date
• New York Times – Alabama Boy’s Death in Hot Car Leads to Arrest
• ABC 33/40 – Woman Charged in Hot Car Death of Toddler
• NBC News – State Contract Worker Charged in Death of Alabama Toddler
• Wikipedia: Child Neglect

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.