An Arizona man has pleaded guilty to charges stemming from the death of his 2-year-old daughter, who died after being left inside a sweltering car parked in the family’s driveway.
Christopher Scholtes, 38, entered guilty pleas to second-degree murder and intentional child abuse likely to cause death or serious physical injury.
His decision came just days before his trial was scheduled to begin and marked a sharp reversal from his earlier stance. Prosecutors had previously offered a similar deal requiring only a guilty plea to the murder charge, but Scholtes declined at that time — a choice that now carries a much harsher outcome.
According to the Pima County Attorney’s Office, Scholtes will face 20 to 30 years in prison without the possibility of early release under the new agreement. Had the case gone to trial, he could have faced life imprisonment or the death penalty.
Tragic Incident and Investigation
Authorities said Scholtes was arrested after leaving his youngest child in the car while he sat inside the house playing video games on July 9, 2024. Court records also indicated he searched for pornography on his PlayStation during that period, though a judge later ruled that information inadmissible at trial.
It was Scholtes’ wife who discovered the toddler in the vehicle roughly three hours after he had returned home from running errands. The criminal complaint stated that the temperature inside the car reached 109°F (43°C) that afternoon.
Admission to Police
Body-camera footage captured Scholtes admitting to officers from the Marana Police Department that he had left his daughter in the vehicle while she was asleep in her car seat. He told investigators he intended to keep the air conditioning on but forgot about her once he went inside.
According to the complaint, Scholtes acknowledged knowing that his vehicle’s engine automatically shuts off after 30 minutes, which would stop the air conditioning.
Investigators later interviewed the couple’s two older daughters, aged six and nine, who reportedly said their father had left them alone in the car on prior occasions. A text message from his wife appeared to confirm that concern, reading: “I told you to stop leaving them in the car. How many times have I told you?”
Next Steps
Scholtes was released on bail pending trial, under orders prohibiting unsupervised contact with children. He was later granted permission to travel to Hawaii with his wife and surviving daughters before sentencing.
He is required to surrender to authorities on November 3, with sentencing scheduled for November 21.
His attorney has not publicly commented on the plea agreement.
