AL - Birmingham, Keterrius "KJ" Sparks dies after being left in hot car by DHR contract worker /Covenant Services, July 22, 2025

[LadyL]

Attorney: Audio recording captures contracted DHR worker apologizing over 3-year-old's death

She hasn't been charged with a crime and has not been identified, so WVTM 13 is disguising her voice.

www.wvtm13.com

Attorney: Audio recording captures contracted DHR worker apologizing over 3-year-old's death

looks like the worker called and said something like this:

“I got sidetracked…I stopped to get something to eat and when I came out, instead of going left to the daycare, I got a call that said I didn't have a case. I instantly said in my head, ‘well, I'm done for the day. I’m going to go home’…I didn't know he was in there. I forgot he was back there. I'm so sorry.”

Apparently the poor boy unfastened the car seat but the DHS worker had childlock on

What I don’t understand is, if she drove to the grocery store and got food, and then got out and forgot about the kid, does that mean she got back in her car, drove home, and just didn’t notice the baby was in there on the way home? What? His family says he was verbal so I just don’t see how that’s possible.

so the worker left him alone in the car while she stopped to get food ...

 

[LadyL]

I've seen this child's name spelled four different ways in MSM now
c'mon reporters, do better

Arrest Made in Death of Alabama Boy Who Was Allegedly 'Forgotten' in Hot Car for 5 Hours

Ke'Torrius Starkes Jr. died on July 22 after being left unattended in a hot car in Birmingham, Ala.

people.com

 

[LadyL]

So she stopped to get something to eat, for herself, but didn't offer the child food or drink?

Just ignored his existence while she went inside and got herself some food?

I caught that too. She left him alone in the car. Had she already forgotten abut him or was that just standard procedure for her when looking after fragile, vulnerable little souls.

 

[TMich6811]

I feel like it’s likely there was substance involved here

 

[parliamenth0l]

"Law enforcement said when KJ died, and they went to this lady's house—the worker—there was illegal tint that was on her car that was so dark that if you were standing next to the car, you couldn't even see KJ was in the back seat. How is that a state agency DHR hired a transportation company to transport a baby around in a vehicle that has illegal tint?" French said.

The investigation into the events on Pine Tree Drive on July 22 continues. French revealed that KJ was in the car when a call was made to Stanford from the daycare. Stanford reportedly took KJ into her home and was throwing cold water on his face.

Attorney Courtney French said they are still awaiting toxicology results to determine if Stanford was under the influence of any substances at the time of the incident. Communication efforts with DHR have been unsuccessful, and the family continues to seek answers.

Family seeks answers on DHR oversight, safety protocols after 3-year-old dies in hot car

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The family of 3-year-old Ke'torrius Starkes Jr., known as "KJ," is demanding transparency and accountability from the Alabama Department of H

abc3340.com

That is so heartbreaking. I’m sure someone would have seen him.

 

[parliamenth0l]

I feel like it’s likely there was substance involved here

I genuinely refuse to believe that substances weren’t involved. Even if she was evil and hated the child or something, that level of carelessness makes me certain that she was under the influence, maybe xanax or something. That would also explain the car tint, not many other reasons you would want to have blackout windows (JMO)

 

[tlcya]

so the worker left him alone in the car while she stopped to get food ...

maybe he was asleep at the time she stopped for food. I am unclear if she ran through a drive through or into a restaurant/store. If she left her vehicle while grabbing her food, that was BEFORE she forgot the boy was in her backseat (per her own recounting of events) so did she knowingly leave the child unattended in the car while fetching her food?

I don't believe what she did was malicious or purposeful in any way but I do think she is criminally responsible for this little boy's death.

as to the thought that he was able to get himself out of his car seat, is it possible he did that after having been abandoned in the car when the worker arrived home?

 

[killarney rose]

Unbelievable !

Woman charged in hot car death misses first court date

Stanford will be scheduled for another hearing next month. If she does not appear, a warrant could be issued for her arrest.

www.wsfa.com

 

[Deleted member 117884]

Unbelievable !

Woman charged in hot car death misses first court date

Stanford will be scheduled for another hearing next month. If she does not appear, a warrant could be issued for her arrest.

www.wsfa.com

I agree - unbelievable! There better be a good reason for this - or did she stop for lunch and some smokes and forgot?

From the link:

"A woman charged in connection with the death of 3-year-old Ke’Torrius ‘KJ’ Starkes did not appear in court Monday as scheduled....Stanford will be scheduled for another hearing next month. If she does not appear, a warrant could be issued for her arrest."

 

[killarney rose]

The delay is unbelievable as well!

 

[Deleted member 117884]

The delay is unbelievable as well!

It's insulting!

"Hey, a child died because of you, so stop by the courthouse when you have the chance, okay? Take your time. Next month will be fine, but if you don't show up the second time we ask, we're going to write you up."

jmo

 

[tlcya]

I agree - unbelievable! There better be a good reason for this - or did she stop for lunch and some smokes and forgot?

From the link:

"A woman charged in connection with the death of 3-year-old Ke’Torrius ‘KJ’ Starkes did not appear in court Monday as scheduled....Stanford will be scheduled for another hearing next month. If she does not appear, a warrant could be issued for her arrest."

I'm sorry, whaaat?

She didn't show, so we'll wait around and see if she shows next month. If she doesn't we "might" issue a warrant for her arrest?

zero sense of urgency around a dead child. Very disappointing.

 

[ChatteringBirds]

Could this be possible: maybe she is in an inpatient facility (psychiatric, rehab., or similar) and that is why she "didn't show up," so they know where she is are giving her a month there? Because otherwise, it's completely inexcusable that she isn't already being arrested! IMO.

 

[Deleted member 117884]

Could this be possible: maybe she is in an inpatient facility (psychiatric, rehab., or similar) and that is why she "didn't show up," so they know where she is are giving her a month there? Because otherwise, it's completely inexcusable that she isn't already being arrested! IMO.

That is an idea. But wouldn't that be mentioned in court, to make sure it's on the record that she has a reason not to be there? Idk.

jmo

 

[Ladyotm]

I don't see anything recent, other than parent's lawsuit.

Civil lawsuit over child's hot car death advances in Birmingham

 

[tlcya]

by Gracie JohnsonWed, October 1, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Updated Wed, October 1, 2025 at 5:41 PM

Kela Stanford appeared in court Wednesday for a preliminary hearing on charges related to the death of 3-year-old K.J. Starkes Jr. Authorities say Stanford allegedly left the child in a vehicle for more than five hours on July 22, 2025.
[snip]
Judge William Bell Jr. found "clear probable cause" to bind the case over to the grand jury. Stanford remains out on bond as the legal proceedings continue.
Court hears new details in case of 3-year-old who died after being left in hot car

By Bria Chatman and Gray News staff
Published: Oct. 2, 2025 at 4:13 AM CDT

Detectives testified at the hearing that Stanford made three stops that day, two of which were in the same block of the toddler’s daycare. She also returned home more than once while KJ was still in the backseat of her car, according to investigators.

“Instead of returning KJ back to the daycare where he was supposed to be, she went to a Church’s Chicken location across the street then to a pizza location. She was two blocks away from his daycare, and instead of returning KJ to his daycare, she drove home,” French said.

Detectives say Stanford admitted she was negligent while KJ was in her care. They say during the five hours he was left inside her vehicle, she was inside her home watching movies with family members and opening packages from Amazon.
Painful testimony reveals more details about hot car death of 3-year-old boy in DHR care

I can find no indication if a grand jury ever heard the case or if they indicted.

She drove past his daycare where he should have been dropped off twice whil running her personal errands with Keterrius in the backseat. She stopped by her own residence several times as well, all while the child remained in her backseat. She then went into her house and relaxed for the next five hours.

 

[TMich6811]

by Gracie JohnsonWed, October 1, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Updated Wed, October 1, 2025 at 5:41 PM

Kela Stanford appeared in court Wednesday for a preliminary hearing on charges related to the death of 3-year-old K.J. Starkes Jr. Authorities say Stanford allegedly left the child in a vehicle for more than five hours on July 22, 2025.
[snip]
Judge William Bell Jr. found "clear probable cause" to bind the case over to the grand jury. Stanford remains out on bond as the legal proceedings continue.
Court hears new details in case of 3-year-old who died after being left in hot car

By Bria Chatman and Gray News staff
Published: Oct. 2, 2025 at 4:13 AM CDT

Detectives testified at the hearing that Stanford made three stops that day, two of which were in the same block of the toddler’s daycare. She also returned home more than once while KJ was still in the backseat of her car, according to investigators.

“Instead of returning KJ back to the daycare where he was supposed to be, she went to a Church’s Chicken location across the street then to a pizza location. She was two blocks away from his daycare, and instead of returning KJ to his daycare, she drove home,” French said.

Detectives say Stanford admitted she was negligent while KJ was in her care. They say during the five hours he was left inside her vehicle, she was inside her home watching movies with family members and opening packages from Amazon.
Painful testimony reveals more details about hot car death of 3-year-old boy in DHR care

I can find no indication if a grand jury ever heard the case or if they indicted.

She drove past his daycare where he should have been dropped off twice whil running her personal errands with Keterrius in the backseat. She stopped by her own residence several times as well, all while the child remained in her backseat. She then went into her house and relaxed for the next five hours.

Help me understand how this child would have been quiet enough that you just forget about him through all of that?!

 

[tlcya]

Help me understand how this child would have been quiet enough that you just forget about him through all of that?!

good question, I assumed that after his supervised visit with all her driving around, the toddler may have fallen asleep ridiculous that she drove past the place she was to drop him not once but twice, made multiple trips to her home and then left again without ever noticing him back there. and finally ended her afternoon watching a movie and unboxing her amazon packages all while this baby died on her watch.

I don't think she did it on purpose but dang she was responsible for this baby.

 

[TMich6811]

good question, I assumed that after his supervised visit with all her driving around, the toddler may have fallen asleep ridiculous that she drove past the place she was to drop him not once but twice, made multiple trips to her home and then left again without ever noticing him back there. and finally ended her afternoon watching a movie and unboxing her amazon packages all while this baby died on her watch.

I don't think she did it on purpose but dang she was responsible for this baby.

I agree but also very few 3 year olds are going to sleep through that many stop and gos.

I am going to dig I can’t remember if they cleared her of being under the influence