BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — A former contractor for the Alabama Department of Human Resources has been charged after a 3-year-old boy, who was in the state's custody, died in a hot car last month.

Kela Stanford is charged with leaving a child unattended in a motor vehicle in a manner that creates an unreasonable risk of injury or harm, announced Jefferson County District Attorney Danny Carr on Friday.

"This is a terrible tragedy that was completely avoidable and unnecessary. Our condolences go out to Ke'Torrius's family," Carr wrote in a release.

Ke'Torrius “KJ” Starkes Jr., of Bessemer, was found alone inside a car Tuesday evening at a Birmingham home. According to the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office, the vehicle was off, and the windows were rolled up at the time Starkes was found.

T

See Full Page