Birmingham, Alabama, August 16, 2025
News Summary
Kela Stanford, a 54-year-old contractor, has been arrested following the death of 3-year-old Ke’Torrius Starkes Jr. Stanford is charged with leaving a child unattended in a vehicle for five hours, resulting in KJ’s death from heat exposure. The incident has raised serious concerns about child safety in the foster care system, and the family seeks justice while the community mourns the tragic loss.
Birmingham, Alabama
Kela Stanford, a 54-year-old contract worker for the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR), has been arrested and charged in connection with the tragic death of 3-year-old Ke’Torrius Starkes Jr., known as KJ. Stanford faces one count of leaving a child unattended in a motor vehicle, which resulted in serious physical injury. If convicted, she could face a prison sentence ranging from 2 to 20 years.
On July 22, KJ was found unresponsive in a parked car in Birmingham, where he had been left for approximately five hours amid dangerously high temperatures. The child had been picked up from daycare by Stanford for a supervised visit with his father. However, instead of returning him to daycare after the visit ended around 11:30 AM, Stanford allegedly took KJ to her home, where he was ultimately found.
The family of Ke’Torrius Starkes Jr. has expressed their profound grief over the loss, characterizing the event as a preventable tragedy. KJ was pronounced dead at the scene after a 911 call was made around 6:40 PM, reporting that the child was unresponsive in the vehicle. Emergency responders arrived to discover KJ still strapped in his car seat.
Reports indicate that during the five hours KJ was left in the vehicle, the heat index reached over 108 degrees. Stanford had reportedly stopped to buy food and made additional stops, leaving KJ unattended in the scorching heat.
Background Information
At the time of his death, KJ was in the foster care system, and the circumstances leading up to his tragic passing have raised serious concerns. His aunt mentioned that there should have been no confusion in the arrangement for his supervised visits, as Stanford regularly transported KJ for such visits. In light of this incident, the DHR confirmed that the contractor responsible for KJ’s care and transport has been terminated from their position.
As investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding KJ’s death, the family has retained legal representation to seek accountability and justice. An attorney representing the family emphasized the heart-wrenching nature of the incident, which has shocked the community and has drawn attention to the importance of child safety, especially regarding vehicle safety in extreme weather conditions.
The case has also prompted discussions about the broader implications for the foster care system and the responsibilities of those entrusted with the care of vulnerable children. As details unfold, the community mourns the loss of a young life, and conversations continue around preventative measures to avoid similar tragedies in the future.
Conclusion
The tragic death of 3-year-old Ke’Torrius Starkes Jr. highlights the urgent need for awareness and education regarding child safety in vehicles. As the legal proceedings against Kela Stanford move forward, the community and KJ’s family hope that lessons can be learned to prevent such heartbreaking incidents from happening again.
FAQs
What charges is Kela Stanford facing?
Kela Stanford is facing one count of leaving a child unattended in a motor vehicle, which resulted in serious physical injury.
What were the circumstances around Ke’Torrius Starkes Jr.’s death?
KJ was left unresponsive in a parked vehicle for approximately five hours after being picked up for a supervised visit, with high heat index conditions.
What action has the DHR taken following this incident?
The Alabama Department of Human Resources has terminated the contract of the employee responsible for KJ’s transportation.
How did the family respond to KJ’s death?
Ke’Torrius’s family has expressed profound grief and has hired an attorney to investigate the circumstances surrounding his passing, describing the incident as preventable.
Key Features of the Incident
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Charge Against Stanford | Leaving a child unattended in a motor vehicle, resulting in serious physical injury. |
| Potential Sentence | 2 to 20 years in prison if convicted. |
| Time Left in Vehicle | Approximately five hours. |
| Temperature Conditions | Heat index reached over 108 degrees. |
| KJ’s Age | 3 years old. |
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Additional Resources
- AL.com
- NBC News
- The New York Times
- Local 12
- BBC News
- Wikipedia: Child Safety in Vehicles
- Google Search: Hot Car Tragedy
- Google Scholar: Child Safety Hot Cars
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Foster Care
- Google News: 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.
