Birmingham police search for mother charged with son’s death

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama (WIAT) – Birmingham police are searching for a woman accused of murder after her teenage son died of malnutrition and dehydration in March.

According to BPD Sergeant LaQuitta Wade, 43-year-old Serena Starkey is wanted in connection with the death of 13-year-old Aston Starkey.

On March 2 at approximately 7:20 a.m., Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service personnel were called to the Extended Stay America on Cahaba Park Circle for an injured person. BFRS personnel transported Aston Starkey to Grandview Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased.

Birmingham Police and Homicide Detectives arrived at Grandview Medical Center and began an unclassified death investigation. The Shelby County Department of Human Resources also began an investigation into the case.

On Thursday, the Shelby County DHR told investigators that Aston’s autopsy revealed he died of malnutrition and dehydration, exacerbated by neglect. The Shelby County Coroner’s Office has now ruled the death a homicide.

The Birmingham Homicide Unit forwarded information about the case to the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office on Friday. The District Attorney’s Office has issued an arrest warrant for Serena Starkey.

Anyone with information about the case or the whereabouts of Serena Starkey is asked to call the BPD at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.