The Button Law Firm Responds to Heartbreaking Death of Toddler Left in Hot Car During Supervised Visit in Birmingham, Alabama

The Details Behind the Tragedy

As covered in the article, the child was in DHR custody and had been picked up from daycare by a contracted transportation worker for a supervised visit with a parent. That visit reportedly ended around 11:30 a.m., yet instead of taking the child back to daycare, where they would have been safe and monitored, the worker allegedly ran personal errands with the child still in the backseat. By 12:30 p.m., she had returned home and left the child inside the parked vehicle, windows up and engine off, for more than five hours in the dangerous heat.

It wasn’t until the daycare contacted the worker to ask about the child’s whereabouts that she realized they had never been returned. Emergency services were called, but tragically, the child was pronounced dead just after 6 p.m. The article notes that Birmingham's temperatures ranged from 93 to 96 degrees, with heat index values soaring as high as 105 degrees.

There are simply no words to describe the horror this child must have experienced, or the lifelong pain the family now carries.

Where Was the Oversight?

The article clarifies that multiple agencies and parties had responsibilities tied to the child’s safety. Yet somewhere along the way, protocols failed or were ignored entirely. While the Alabama Department of Human Resources has confirmed that the incident occurred while the child was in DHR custody, the agency declined to provide further comment due to confidentiality. The contracted provider has since terminated the employee responsible, but that action came far too late.

In our experience at The Button Law Firm, these kinds of tragedies are rarely the result of a single moment of forgetfulness. They are almost always rooted in systemic issues: lack of training, absent safety procedures, inadequate supervision, or a culture of complacency among organizations tasked with protecting children. The fact that a worker could forget a child in her car after running personal errands and returning home, without any immediate checks or follow-up from her employer or the state agency, demands accountability.

Protecting Children During Transportation

Child transportation, whether by daycare vans, school buses, or state-contracted services, is a known risk area. That’s why companies and agencies are supposed to have strict rules in place, like child check systems, ride logs, and mandatory check-ins. However, the article does not mention such systems being in place or enforced. When those safeguards are missing or ignored, children are left vulnerable.

At The Button Law Firm, we’ve handled cases where children were left behind in daycare vans or improperly transported, and we’ve seen the lasting trauma those events cause. These are not “accidents”; they’re preventable failures in responsibility.

Contact The Button Law Firm After a Daycare or Caregiver Injury

If your child was seriously injured or killed due to the negligence of a daycare, caregiver, or state-contracted worker, it’s critical to take action. You may have a legal case, and your voice could help prevent something like this from happening again.

Our team at The Button Law Firm helps families across Texas and beyond hold wrongdoers accountable in cases like this. To speak with us directly, call us at (214) 699-4409, email intake@buttonlawfirm.com, or fill out the contact form. We’re here to listen, guide you through your options, and fight for the justice your family deserves.