Alabama foster care toddler's tragic demise, caused by excessive heat in a vehicle, leads to arrest of state contract employee
In a tragic incident that occurred on July 22, Kela Stanford, a contract worker with Covenant Services, Inc., has been accused of leaving 3-year-old Ke'Terrious Starkes Jr. unattended in a hot car, resulting in his death. The incident took place in the 1500 block of Pine Tree Drive, Birmingham.
Ke'Terrious, who was in the foster care system, was picked up from day care by Stanford for a scheduled visit. However, instead of returning him to day care, Stanford drove him to her home. According to Ke'Terrious' aunt Brittney Debruce, the child was left inside the car for a devastating five hours, from around 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The Birmingham Police Department is investigating the incident after receiving a call about the unresponsive child shortly after 5:30 p.m. on the same day. The exact official cause of death has not yet been determined, but the weather that day was notably hot, with temperatures in the 90s and a "feels like" temperature of 103 degrees Fahrenheit, increasing the risk for heat-related death.
In response to the incident, the Alabama Department of Human Resources has terminated Stanford's contract. As of the latest available information, no public details have been provided regarding charges or the defense's response.
On Friday morning, Stanford was arrested and criminally charged for leaving a child unattended in a motor vehicle, resulting in serious physical injury. If convicted, she could face between two and 20 years in prison. It was not immediately clear if Stanford had hired a defense lawyer.
Stanford was booked into custody and posted a $30,000 bond for release, according to jail records. The District Attorney described the incident as "a terrible tragedy that was completely avoidable and unnecessary."
Our thoughts are with Ke'Terrious' family and friends during this difficult time. This story is still developing, and we will continue to update it as more information becomes available.
[1] Source: Birmingham News, Alabama.com
- The tragedy involving Kela Stanford, who was caring for a child as a contract worker, has sparked discussions in the realm of health-and-wellness and general-news, as well as sparking concerns about the safety of children in foster care.
- The criminal charges against Kela Stanford have also made headlines in the crime-and-justice sector, with investigations revealing the potential impact of science and legislation in preventing similar incidents of child endangerment.
