Father Faces Murder Charge After Leaving Toddler In Car In 100-Degree Heat, Was "Distracted" By Video Games

As a gamer and a parent, I can’t even begin to fathom the level of regret and guilt that Christopher Scholtes must be feeling right now. Leaving a two-year-old child in a hot car while he was distracted by his games is beyond irresponsible and unforgivable. The thought of losing my own child, no matter the circumstances, is every parent’s worst nightmare.


A two-year-old girl sadly lost her life after being left unattended in a hot car (reaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit) by her father, who was engrossed in playing video games inside their home in Arizona, as stated in court records obtained by USA Today.

Scholtes explained that his daughter was asleep when they returned from their errands and he didn’t wish to disturb her. So, he kept her in the car with the air conditioning on. He expressed to authorities that “he preferred she stayed in the car as she dozed,” but the records indicate that the air conditioner stopped working after half an hour. The current investigation suggests the child was left unattended for roughly three hours at their residence in Marana, Arizona.

Scholtes hadn’t remembered about his daughter until after his wife Erika returned from work a few hours later, according to the records. The two of them discovered their unresponsive child in the car together. They made efforts to revive her before she was taken to a nearby hospital, unfortunately, she didn’t survive.

During the toddler’s journey to the hospital, it’s reported that Scholtes sent a text to Erika in despair, expressing remorse and disbelief: “Babe, I’m so sorry! … Our family, what have I done? I’ve tragically lost our baby – this can’t be true.”

During the investigation, the police confiscated a PlayStation 5 and other electronic devices, as well as Scholtes’ car. The authorities aim to examine the PS5 and Scholtes’ laptop to figure out Scholtes’ activities at the time they discovered his child unattended in the vehicle.

Scholtes is facing charges for second-degree murder and child abuse.

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2024-07-17 17:40