An Arizona man, Christopher Scholtes, 37, is facing murder and child endangerment charges after allegedly leaving his 2-year-old daughter, Parker, in a sweltering car for over three hours while he played video games. The incident has shocked the community and highlighted the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles.
Details of the incident
Scholtes told police that he had arrived home with his daughter asleep in the car. To avoid waking her, he left her in the running vehicle. However, when his wife returned home, Parker was found unresponsive, and the car’s air conditioning had been turned off. The child was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
Court documents and allegations
Newly released court documents reveal that Scholtes “got distracted playing his game and putting his food away” before his wife discovered their daughter. Local media reports have also detailed text messages between the couple. Erika Scholtes, an anesthesiologist, had reportedly warned him multiple times about leaving the children in the car. She wrote, “I told you to stop leaving them in the car. How many times have I told you?” Scholtes responded, “Babe, I’m sorry… Babe, our family. How could I do this? I killed our baby, this can’t be real.”
Scholtes claimed he arrived home around 2:30 PM and parked outside due to a full garage, forgetting his daughter until his wife’s arrival at 4 PM. However, police reviewed surveillance footage showing his arrival closer to 12:30 PM, indicating Parker had been left in the car for over three hours in extreme heat exceeding 42 degrees Celsius.
Pattern of neglect
The couple’s other children reportedly told police that their father had a habit of leaving them unattended in the car. Scholtes admitted to police that he left the car’s air conditioning on but acknowledged it would automatically shut off after 30 minutes.
Legal proceedings and reactions
Despite his wife’s plea in court for clemency, calling the incident “a big mistake,” Scholtes was charged with murder and child endangerment. The judge set bail at $25,000, significantly lower than the $1 million requested by prosecutors. The case has sparked widespread outrage and renewed calls for greater awareness of the dangers of leaving children in vehicles.
This heartbreaking incident has left a profound impact on the Scholtes family and the local community, raising serious questions about parental responsibility and the devastating consequences of neglect. As the legal proceedings continue, the case serves as a grim reminder of the importance of child safety and vigilance.