An Arizona father who recently pled guilty to the tragic hot car death of his 2-year-old daughter has died, as confirmed by medical examiner records. Christopher Scholtes had entered a guilty plea last month, facing charges of second-degree murder and intentional child abuse resulting in serious harm in connection with the death of his daughter, Parker. She had been left strapped in her car seat for nearly three and a half hours on a hot day, ultimately succumbing to the extreme heat.
Under the plea agreement, Scholtes was facing a substantial sentence of 20 to 30 years in prison and was scheduled to be sentenced on November 21. He was allowed to remain free until November 5, with a court appearance anticipated prior to that date.
In addition to the charges related to Parker’s death, Scholtes and his wife have recently been named in a lawsuit that alleges they caused emotional distress to Scholtes’ oldest daughter from a previous relationship.
Details surrounding Christopher Scholtes’ death have not been disclosed yet, with the Maricopa Medical Examiner’s office indicating that a report will be available in 90 days. Today’s scheduled court hearing was abruptly recessed by Judge Kimberly Ortiz, and although the sentencing hearing for Scholtes remains set for November 21, no explanations have been provided regarding the events that unfolded.
This unfortunate case highlights the tragic consequences of child endangerment and the necessity for heightened awareness about child safety, especially regarding hot weather. As investigations continue, the legal system will still address the broader implications of this tragedy on the family involved.