Alabama toddler who died inside hot car was ‘forgotten’ by state contract worker, police say
In a tragic incident in Birmingham, Alabama, three-year-old Ke’Terrious Starkes Jr. died after being left inside a hot car by a state contractor who “forgot” he was inside, according to local authorities. Ke’Terrious, who was in the foster care system, was picked up from daycare for a scheduled visit with his father but ultimately ended up at the driver’s home instead of being returned to daycare.
On Tuesday evening, as temperatures soared into the 90s with high humidity, authorities received a call around 5:30 PM to the 1500 block of Pine Tree Drive. Birmingham Fire & Rescue pronounced the child dead at the scene. Police Sgt. Laquitta Wade confirmed the incident was being treated as accidental, and the investigation is ongoing, with the district attorney to decide on any potential charges.
The contractor, whose identity has not been disclosed, had a history of transporting Ke’Terrious for supervised visits, raising questions about how this oversight occurred. Family members, including the child’s aunt Brittney Debruce, expressed their disbelief and grief, stating they do not believe the contractor acted with malice but made a tragic mistake. A candlelight vigil is planned for Friday evening in Bessemer, where the community will gather to honor the young life lost. The Alabama Department of Human Resources has since terminated the contractor involved but could not provide additional details due to confidentiality guidelines.
Read the complete article here: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/alabama-toddler-died-hot-car-was-forgotten-state-contract-worker-polic-rcna221519
