An Arizona father has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder after leaving his 2-year-old daughter, Parker Scholtes, to die in a hot car while he was inside their home playing video games and performing online searches.
Christopher Scholtes, 38, accepted a plea deal with the Pima County Attorney’s Office, pleading guilty to one count of second-degree murder and one count of intentional or knowing child abuse. The agreement mandates that his sentences will run consecutively, meaning he faces a non-negotiable term of 20 to 30 years in the Department of Corrections for the July 9, 2024, death.
According to prosecutors and court documents, Scholtes returned home just before 1 p.m. with Parker, whom he initially claimed to have left sleeping in the 2023 Acura MDX with the air conditioning running. However, surveillance footage and a subsequent investigation revealed inconsistencies with his story.
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Instead of checking on the child, Scholtes allegedly played a PlayStation video game, put away groceries, and surfed the internet for men’s clothing and pornography until about 2:30 p.m. Prior to arriving home, he had also reportedly shoplifted beer from two convenience stores.
The temperature reached 109 degrees Fahrenheit that day. Parker was discovered by her mother, Erika Scholtes, who arrived home from work around 4 p.m. to find the car’s engine and AC off. The child was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead around 5 p.m.
Text messages presented in court showed a pattern of neglect and substance abuse. Erika Scholtes had previously warned her husband about regularly leaving the children unattended in the car, and messages from the weeks leading up to Parker’s death referenced his drinking, driving while intoxicated with the children, and speeding.
While Erika initially spoke in support of her husband at a bond hearing, later text messages she sent him revealed her horror: “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 will be imposed by Judge Kimberly Ortiz.
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