Alabama DHR Contractor Charged in Toddler Hot Car Death

Kela Stanford, a former contractor for the Alabama Department of Human Resources, has been charged under the Amiyah White Act after leaving 3-year-old Ke’Torrius 'KJ' Starkes Jr. unattended in a hot car for about five hours, leading to his death in Birmingham on July 22. Stanford, responsible for transporting KJ between daycare and supervised parental visits, left the child in her vehicle while running personal errands before returning home. KJ was found unresponsive and later pronounced dead. Stanford was arrested, charged with a felony, and released on bond, facing up to 20 years in prison if convicted. DHR reported that Stanford's employment as a contracted provider was terminated, but declined further comment due to confidentiality. The incident has prompted calls from the family’s attorney for greater accountability and new measures to prevent similar tragedies.