Heartbreak and Legal Action After Tragic Hot Car Death

The family of little Keterrius "KJ" Starkes Jr., only three years old, is seeking justice after the unimaginable: KJ died after being left in a sweltering car for over five hours. They've filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Jefferson County, naming multiple parties, including a social worker, state and county DHR employees, and Covenant Services, Inc.

This tragedy has sent shockwaves through the state, sparking outrage and calls for a serious overhaul of Alabama's foster care system. State Senator Merika Coleman expressed the devastation felt by many, demanding answers and a review of state laws to prevent such a horrific event from ever happening again.

Who's Named in the Lawsuit?

Filed on August 8th, the lawsuit points fingers at Kela Stanford, Covenant Services, Inc., Executive Director Roderick Henderson, and several employees from both the Jefferson County and Alabama Department of Human Resources. The suit accuses these individuals of negligence and wanton disregard, ultimately leading to the young boy’s death.

A Timeline of the Tragedy

Court documents detail the heartbreaking sequence of events. On July 22nd, KJ, in DHR custody, was being transported by Stanford, a Covenant Services employee, for a supervised visit with his father. The visit concluded around 11:30 a.m., but instead of returning KJ, Stanford allegedly ran personal errands with the child still in the car. She then returned home around 12:30 p.m. and left him strapped inside, windows up, engine off.

Unbearable Conditions

Tragically, KJ remained in the car from approximately 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. During that time, a heat advisory was in effect, with temperatures soaring above 95 degrees and a heat index reaching 109. Experts estimate the inside of the vehicle could have reached a staggering 150 degrees.

Desperate Search and Devastating Discovery

After discovering the child, Birmingham Fire and Rescue responded but were unable to save him. KJ was pronounced dead at 63 p.m. The lawsuit emphasizes that, for hours, nobody inquired about KJ's whereabouts, despite his absence from daycare.

Allegations of Negligence

The lawsuit claims the defendants failed in their mandatory duties to provide safe transportation and protect KJ from abuse and neglect. They created an unsafe environment that directly resulted in his death.

Criminal Charges Filed

On August 1st, Kela Stanford was arrested and charged with leaving a child unattended in a motor vehicle, resulting in serious physical injury.

The family is seeking justice, demanding punitive damages, interest, and court costs.