A three-year-old boy died after being left in a hot vehicle in Bessemer, Alabama on May 10, 2023, according to local police. At the time of the incident, the state human resources department had custody of the child. At the time, it was a contractor that was supposed to transport that child. The boy was found unresponsive at a private residence after authorities were alerted around 5:30 PM.
Because it had tinted windows, the vehicle was parked outside in the blazing sun on a sweltering day. According to eyewitness testimony, the child was secured in his seat when emergency responders got to the scene. Chief Deputy Coroner of Jefferson County, Bill Yates, confirmed that the cause of death was due to being left in the hot car, stating, “the child was found in a car that was ignition off, doors closed, windows up and it was hot in the car.”
In a statement, the Alabama DHR admitted that they had custody of the child at the time of the incident. This fact underscores the agency’s role in the case. An official spokesperson for the DHR stated, “A child in DHR custody was being transported by a contract provider when the incident occurred.”
As facts about this horrifying incident continue to develop, state Senator Merika Coleman is calling for accountability. What she’s demanding is immediate, comprehensive legislative action. On her blog, she argued for the impetus to be seeking justice that would prevent the conditions that led to the boy’s death. “We need answers, and we may need to examine state law to make sure this never happens again,” she remarked.
That incident has now led to a call for an investigation into the contractor’s actions. It looks at the DHR’s practices around transporting children. Lawmakers, activists, and community members are calling for change to make sure a tragedy like this never occurs again.