Arizona Father Arrested, Charged in Hot Car Death of 2-Year-Old Daughter at Own Residence

MARANA, AZ — A tragic incident has led to the arrest of a father in Marana, Arizona, after his 2-year-old daughter died from being left in a hot car. The father, 37-year-old Christopher Scholtes, has been charged with second-degree murder and child abuse, according to the Marana Police Department.

The heartbreaking event unfolded on Tuesday afternoon when Scholtes returned home with his daughter. According to police reports, Scholtes left his daughter sleeping in her car seat with the vehicle running and the air conditioning on. He then went inside his house, leaving the child unattended in the driveway.

Marana experienced extreme temperatures that day, reaching a high of 111 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite Scholtes' claims that he left the air conditioning on, the car was found to be off when the parents returned to retrieve their daughter approximately three hours later. The circumstances surrounding how and when the car shut off remain unclear.

Upon discovering their daughter unresponsive, the parents immediately called 911. Emergency responders from the Northwest Fire District arrived and performed life-saving measures before rushing the child to Banner University Medical Center. Unfortunately, the young girl was pronounced dead upon arrival.

The Marana Police Department arrested Scholtes on Friday morning. In a statement, the police emphasized the severity of the charges, stating that under Arizona law, a person can be charged with second-degree murder if they engage in conduct that recklessly creates a grave risk of death, thereby causing the death of another person. This includes actions taken with extreme indifference to human life.

"This incident is a stark reminder of the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles. The temperature inside a vehicle can rise rapidly, even on relatively mild days, leading to potentially fatal outcomes within minutes," the police department said in a statement. "We urge all parents and caregivers to remain vigilant."

The tragic death of Scholtes' daughter is part of a broader, troubling trend. According to the national nonprofit KidsAndCars.org, at least 10 children have died in hot cars in the United States so far this year. Since 1990, the organization reports that at least 1,094 children have died in hot cars, with approximately 88% of those victims being 3 years old or younger.

The Marana Police Department continues to investigate the incident. They executed a search warrant on the night of the child's death, but further details have not been disclosed. The child's mother was not initially home when Scholtes left the child in the car but arrived shortly before the child was discovered unresponsive.

The community of Marana is reeling from the news, and local authorities are using this tragic event to educate the public about the dangers of leaving children in vehicles. The rapid increase in temperature inside a car can be lethal, even if the outside temperature is not extraordinarily high. On a day when the temperature is 109 degrees, the interior of a car can reach life-threatening temperatures in a matter of minutes.

This case underscores the critical importance of never leaving children unattended in vehicles, regardless of the circumstances. The Marana Police Department and child safety advocates continue to stress the need for vigilance and awareness to prevent such heartbreaking incidents in the future.

As the investigation proceeds, Scholtes remains in custody, facing serious charges that could lead to significant legal consequences. The community mourns the loss of a young life and hopes that this tragic event will serve as a powerful reminder of the dangers posed by hot cars.