DHR worker who left 3-year-old to broil in hot car has yet to be charged

July 29, 2025 – BESSEMER, AL - As of now, no arrest has been made in the case involving the Alabama Department of Human Resources contract worker who left 3-year-old Ke'Torrius "KJ" Starkes Jr. in a hot car in Birmingham on July 22.

The worker, employed by Covenant Services, was terminated following the incident. According to police, she picked up KJ for a supervised visit with his father, then ran personal errands-including stopping for food and visiting a tobacco store-before going home and leaving the child in the car for over five hours. Temperatures inside the vehicle reportedly exceeded 150°F.

The Birmingham Police Department has interviewed the worker, and she is cooperating with the investigation. The case is being reviewed by the Jefferson County District Attorney's Office to determine whether criminal charges will be filed.

Children and families advocate Terri LaPoint told the Alabama Gazette that the DHR contract worker who broiled poor KJ to death absolutely should be criminally charged in the boy's death.

"Yes these social workers that cause a child's death should be charged," LaPoint said. "These social workers allow children to be trafficked and abused, and they don't report it. It is extremely rare that they are held accountable. Children in foster care are six times more likely to be abused and ten times more likely to be killed than children even in a troubled home."

We asked LaPoint if DHR head Nancy Buckner should be fired by Governor Kay Ivey (R).

"Yes, absolutely," LaPoint stated.

LaPoint has been in D.C. advocating for changes in how DHR and other state child protective services agencies are funded.

LaPoint opposes paying the on a per child taken basis.

"Don't incentivize them taking children," out of the home LaPoint said.

LaPoint is a Republican candidate for Congress in the Third Congressional District.

KJ had been taken from his home by DHR who placed the boy in foster care. The contract worker for Covenant Services took the boy out of his daycare for a supervised visit with his father – K.J. Sr. The woman was supposed to take K.J. back to daycare or to his foster family. Instead, she went back to her home and left the boy in a car seat where he broiled alive in the hot car with the windows up.

Covenant Services Inc. is a third-party contractor that works with the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) to provide services related to child welfare and family support. According to their official website, their mission is to serve families "with a spirit of excellence," emphasizing a holistic approach to helping individuals and families become self-sufficient within their communities.

They're based in Anniston, Alabama, and their philosophy centers on service as a meaningful contribution to humanity. While they're not a government agency, they're entrusted by counties across the state to assist with tasks like supervised visitations, transportation, and other support roles for children in DHR custody.

The autopsy has been performed and KJ's corpse has been released to his parents.

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