Father Arrested for Allegedly Leaving 2-Year-Old Daughter in Hot Car, Resulting in Tragic Death

In a heartbreaking turn of events, a father from Arizona has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder and child abuse after allegedly leaving his 2-year-old daughter in a car outside their home for three hours, as temperatures soared to a scorching 109 degrees. The Marana Police Department identified the accused as Christopher Scholtes, 37.

According to authorities, Scholtes arrived home on Tuesday afternoon to find his daughter sleeping in her car seat. In an attempt not to wake her, he decided to leave her inside the car seat with the vehicle running and the air conditioner turned on, while he went inside the house. However, when the girl's mother returned home shortly after, she discovered the toddler in the vehicle, with the car no longer running and the air conditioner off.

Despite immediate life-saving efforts by the mother and law enforcement, the little girl was tragically pronounced dead at a local hospital. Investigation into the incident revealed video footage from nearby homes, confirming that Scholtes had left his daughter in the car for approximately three hours.

The accused reportedly informed the authorities that it was not uncommon for him and his wife, who is a medical doctor, to leave their daughter in the running car while it was parked in the garage. However, on the day of the incident, Scholtes had parked in the driveway due to exercise equipment occupying the garage. He further stated that he typically receives alerts if his car becomes too hot or shuts off, but he claims not to have received any notifications that day.

This tragic case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles, especially during extreme weather conditions. Law enforcement emphasized the rapid rise in temperature inside a vehicle, even on relatively mild days, which can lead to potentially fatal outcomes within minutes. They urge all parents and caregivers to remain vigilant and take every precaution necessary to ensure the safety of their children.

Christopher Scholtes has been booked at the Pima County Adult Detention Center, but it remains unclear if he has obtained legal representation at this time. As this devastating incident continues to unfold, our thoughts are with the family and loved ones affected by this heartbreaking loss.