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yesterday

Former DHR Contractor Charged in Foster Child’s Hot-Car Death

The case has put a spotlight on procedural gaps in third-party foster transport, prompting calls for accountability

Ke’Torrius “K.J.” Starkes, Jr. died in hot car in Alabama while in state custody.
Kela Stanford has been arrested in connection with the death of 3-year-old Ke'Torrius “K.J.” Starkes Jr., who died when he was left unattended in a vehicle for hours.
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An Alabama Department of Human Resources building in Birmingham.

Overview

  • Kela Stanford was arrested Aug. 1 on a Class B felony under the Amiyah White Act after allegedly leaving three-year-old Ke’Torrius “KJ” Starkes Jr. locked in a car for five hours
  • Stanford was released on a $30,000 bond and faces between two and 20 years in prison if convicted
  • Chief Deputy Coroner Bill Yates reported KJ was inside the vehicle from about 12:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m., with interior temperatures likely exceeding 140 degrees
  • Alabama Department of Human Resources and contractor Covenant Services have come under fire for inconsistent safety protocols and lack of transparency in third-party transport oversight
  • Family attorneys and community leaders are demanding systemic reforms and clear answers from DHR following the preventable tragedy