State Rep. Patrick Sellers (D-Pleasant Grove) has joined the growing number of state leaders calling for accountability in reaction to the death of the three-year-old Bessemer boy who died in Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) custody after allegedly being left in a hot car for nearly five hours.
State leaders had an array of reactions following the in-custody death of three-year-old Ke'Torrius "KJ" Starkes, Jr., who was found dead in Birmingham last week after allegedly being left unattended in a hot car for nearly five hours.
SEE ALSO: State Rep. Paschal: 3-year-old's death in DHR custody needs 'thorough and impartial investigation'
Birmingham Police say Starkes was accidentally left inside the vehicle while in the care of Covenant Services, a third-party contractor for DHR. The driver allegedly left Starkes in her vehicle after running errands and returning home.
Related: State Sen. Elliott: Ivey response to death of 3-year-old child in DHR custody not 'adequate'
On Tuesday, Sellers called for a comprehensive reform at DHR after what he said was "entirely preventable."
"Rather than returning him to daycare, the worker reportedly conducted personal errands, including stops for food and at a tobacco shop," said Sellers. "This child was left strapped in a sealed vehicle from approximately 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., when emergency responders found him unresponsive."
Sellers also called on the Jefferson County District Attorney's Office and the Birmingham Police Department to conduct a criminal investigation into the circumstances surrounding Starkes' death, including the driver responsible for transporting Starkes.
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