Overview

• The contractor was dismissed and is cooperating with the Birmingham Police Department’s investigation into the death of Keterrius Starks Jr.
• On July 22, the three-year-old was accidentally left in a parked vehicle for more than five hours in Birmingham as temperatures reached 96°F with high humidity.
• Alabama DHR acknowledged the incident and said it will review its use of contract providers while citing confidentiality constraints on case details.
• Sen. Chris Elliott and Rep. Ginny Shaver have formally called for a state-level inquiry into DHR’s agreements with third-party child transporters and related safety protocols.
• Advocates and experts warn the tragedy highlights systemic policy gaps and the deadly risk of hot-car incidents when caregivers deviate from routine.