Fresh insights have surfaced regarding the tragic death of a 3-year-old boy from Alabama, who perished in an overheated car earlier this month, reportedly due to the actions of a state employee.
Authorities report that Ke’Torrius Starkes Jr. was trapped inside a parked vehicle for a duration of five hours in Birmingham on July 22. This occurred on Pinetree Drive, spanning from approximately 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The Birmingham police stated that a state worker affiliated with Covenant Services, via a contract with the Department of Human Resources, retrieved the child from a daycare center to escort him to his father for a supervised visitation, as noted by CrimeOnline.
Courtney French, the family’s lawyer, informed WTTO that the worker intended to return Ke’Torrius to the daycare. However, she reportedly diverted to pick up food for her loved ones and to purchase tobacco products.
The employee then went home — leaving Starks in the vehicle for roughly five hours, according to the news outlet.
“I went to the daycare. And I got sidetracked and stopped off and got something to eat, and when I came out instead of going to the left to the daycare because I got called and said I didn’t have a case, I instantly said to myself, ‘oh I’m done for the day. I’m going to go home,’” the worker said during a call to the child’s family, as recorded by NBC 13.
Family member: “This baby died in a car. He suffocated. He didn’t have no help. No nothing. You had the child safety lock on the doors. You didn’t think to look in the back seat?!”
Worker: “No ma’am, I did not… I wouldn’t have killed no child.”
The child’s father was heard questioning the worker on how she could leave his son in the car, with the worker repeatedly apologizing.
Birmingham police Sgt. Laquitta Wade told NBC News that the incident appeared to be a tragic mistake.
“At this time, the only thing that I can say is that we believe it [the child’s death] was accidental,” Wade said.
The worker has been cooperative with police in the investigation, and no formal charges have been filed. She has since been terminated from her position.
Wade said it’s now up to prosecutors whether charges will be filed.
Check back for updates.
[Feature Photo: Family Handout]
