Alabama Toddler Who Died Inside Hot Car Was 'forgotten' By State Contract Worker, Police Say

Alabama authorities connected Monday called nan decease of a toddler wrong a basking car a tragic mishap aft a contractor for nan authorities Department of Human Resources allegedly had "forgotten that nan kid was successful nan vehicle."

Keterrius Sparks, a 3-year-old from Bessemer, was pronounced dormant early Tuesday evening aft he was recovered wrong a basking car successful nan 1500 artifact of Pine Tree Drive successful Birmingham, nan Birmingham Police Department said successful a statement. Afternoon temperatures reached nan 90s connected Tuesday, accompanied by humidity that made it consciousness for illustration triple digits.

"At this time, nan only point that I tin opportunity is that we judge it [the child’s death] was accidental," Birmingham constabulary Sgt. Laquitta Wade told NBC News connected Monday, adding that nan contractor had "forgotten that nan kid was successful nan vehicle."

Ketorrius Starkes Jr.Family photograph / via WVTM

Wade added that nan constabulary investigation is ongoing, and nan territory lawyer would yet make immoderate charging decisions.

Authorities opportunity that Keterrius, who is successful nan foster attraction system, had been picked up by a "contracted worker" pinch nan authorities Department of Human Resources from daycare to a scheduled sojourn pinch nan boy's father, constabulary said.

After that visit, nan boy was expected to beryllium driven backmost to daycare, but someway ended up astatine nan driver's location and near wrong that car, constabulary said. Authorities were dispatched to nan Prine Tree Drive location astatine astir 5:30 p.m. connected Tuesday.

"Katerrius was accidentally near wrong of a conveyance while successful nan attraction of a third-party contracted worker done nan Department of Human Resources,” a constabulary connection says. “Birmingham Fire & Rescue Service arrived and pronounced nan unfortunate deceased.”

The contracted worker, who authorities person not identified, was questioned by investigators and "has been cooperative," according to nan constabulary statement.

It's still unclear really galore hours nan kid was near wrong nan basking car, Wade said.

"A kid successful DHR custody was being transported by a statement supplier erstwhile nan incident occurred," nan Department of Human Resources said successful a statement. "The supplier has terminated their employee. Due to confidentiality, DHR cannot remark further regarding nan personality of nan kid aliases nan nonstop circumstances.”

An lawyer for nan boy's family could not beryllium instantly reached for remark connected Monday.