Representatives from Gov. Kay Ivey’s office told 1819 News that the governor "remains confident" in Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) commissioner Nancy Buckner after a three-year-old Bessemer boy died on Tuesday while in DHR custody after being left alone in a hot vehicle for nearly five hours.
The internet was not lacking in criticism for DHR or Buckner’s leadership following the in-custody death of three-year-old Ke'Torrius "KJ" Starkes, Jr. of Bessemer, who was found dead in Birmingham after allegedly being left unattended in a hot car for nearly five hours.
Birmingham Police say Starkes was accidentally left inside the vehicle while in the care of Covenant Services, a third-party contractor for DHR.
A spokesperson for DHR told 1819 News that the contractor had terminated the unnamed employee, adding, “Due to confidentiality, DHR cannot comment further regarding the identity of the child or the exact circumstances.”
Birmingham police are still investigating the death. Thus far, no charges have been announced.
The story has been met with a notable lack of comment from state leaders.
On Thursday, Ivey’s office responded to an inquiry from 1819 News about DHR’s leadership, stating “the governor remains confident” in Buckner’s leadership following the tragedy, directing 1819 News to DHR for any official response.
State Rep. Ginny Shaver (R-Leesburg), who chairs the House Children and Senior Advocacy Committee, told 1819 News, “This horrific tragedy appears to be unintentional negligence of one person, not the Department of Human Resources."
DHR has been the subject of frequent criticism in the state. It faces dozens of lawsuits due to a myriad of accusations, including providing inadequate care and protection, discriminating against children with disabilities by providing them with inferior education and placing them in facilities with insufficient care, failures to investigate and address child abuse and neglect, resulting in serious harm or death to children in their care and more.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email [email protected].
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
