An Alabama family is mourning an unimaginable loss after 3-year-old Ke’Torrius Starks Jr. died when he was left inside a hot vehicle for several hours by an employee of the Alabama Department of Human Resources. According to authorities, the toddler—known to loved ones simply as “KJ”—was trapped in the car as temperatures soared past deadly limits, in what investigators say was a fully preventable tragedy (New York Times).

Officials reported that Starks died on July 22 after being left unattended for approximately five hours inside a vehicle whose internal temperature may have reached 150 degrees or higher during the heatwave gripping the state that week (ABC3340).

A Timeline That Should Have Never Happened

Attorneys representing the family explained that the child, who had been placed in temporary foster care, was picked up from daycare around 9 a.m. by a contracted social worker for a scheduled, supervised visit with his father. The visit ended at 11:30 a.m., and the child was supposed to be returned to daycare immediately afterward.

But that did not happen.

Instead, according to investigators and witness accounts reported by AL.com, the social worker ran personal errands. She stopped for food for her family, shopped at a tobacco store, and eventually drove home to Birmingham. She parked in her driveway around 12:30 p.m., went inside her house, and left the toddler strapped in his car seat with the engine off and the windows rolled up.

Chief Deputy Coroner Bill Yates said the child appeared to have remained in the sweltering vehicle until approximately 5:30 p.m., when he was finally discovered unresponsive. Emergency responders arrived at 6:03 p.m., but despite their efforts, Starks was pronounced dead at the scene (AL.com).

Family Demands Accountability

“This is a heartbreaking and preventable tragedy,” said attorney Courtney French, who represents the family. French emphasized that with a heat index reaching 108 degrees, the interior temperature of the car could have climbed well above 150 degrees—creating conditions that no child could survive (ABC3340).

“This is every parent’s worst nightmare,” Starks’ family said in a statement. “Our baby should be alive.”

The child’s father described KJ as an exceptionally bright little boy: “He knew how to count, his colors… he knew all the animals,” he told WVTM, recalling his son’s curiosity and joyful personality.

Social Worker Fired, But Family Says That’s Not Enough

A spokesperson for Alabama DHR confirmed that the employee responsible for transporting the child had been fired. The worker was employed by The Covenant Services, a private agency contracted by DHR to handle certain case responsibilities (AL.com).

However, the family insists that termination is insufficient. Their attorneys argue that the incident constitutes severe neglect and that those responsible should face additional scrutiny and potential legal action.

“A child in DHR custody was being transported by a contract provider when the incident occurred,” DHR said in a statement. “The provider has terminated their employee. Due to confidentiality laws, DHR cannot comment further.”

State Lawmakers React With Shock

The case has already reached the attention of state lawmakers, prompting questions about oversight and systemic safeguards.

Alabama Rep. Ontario Tillman said he was “shocked and confused,” adding, “How and why did this happen? I will seek more information about the facts surrounding this unthinkable incident” (AP News).

Alabama State Senator Merika Coleman, whose district includes the area where the tragedy occurred, said she is “devastated” and believes the state may need to review current laws to prevent such an incident from happening again.

Investigation Ongoing, Possible Charges Ahead

The Birmingham Police Department interviewed the former employee, but no immediate arrest was made. Joe L. Roberts, chief deputy district attorney for Jefferson County, said investigators would submit the case to prosecutors for review and to determine whether criminal charges are warranted (New York Times).

A Growing National Crisis

Starks’ death is the first hot-car fatality in Alabama in 2025, but part of a much larger nationwide problem. At least 16 children across the United States have died this year after being left in hot vehicles, according to data from Kids and Car Safety, which tracks vehicular heatstroke cases (CNN reporting).

For the Starks family, statistics offer no comfort. They say they will continue fighting for justice for KJ — a little boy who, they emphasize, should have returned safely to his daycare that day.