Christopher Scholtes, 37, has been charged with first-degree murder following the death of his two-year-old daughter, Parker, who died from heat exposure after being left in a parked car on July 9, 2024, during a sweltering 109-degree day. Scholtes has pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutors allege that Scholtes was drinking beer, playing video games, and watching adult content while his daughter was left unattended in their Marana driveway for over three hours. They presented text messages and witness testimonies suggesting a pattern of neglect, including instances when Scholtes reportedly left his other children in cars while distracted.
According to court documents, two of Scholtes’ daughters told authorities that he had previously left them alone in vehicles while “distracted playing games” or “putting away food.” Text messages between Scholtes and his wife, Erika, a doctor, indicate repeated warnings from her about leaving the children in the car. In one message, she wrote, “I told you to stop leaving them in the car, how many times have I told? We’ve lost her, she was perfect.”
Scholtes also admitted to leaving Parker in the car with the air conditioning on for 30 minutes after she had fallen asleep during a shopping trip. However, the car’s engine automatically switched off after half an hour, which authorities say contributed to the tragic death. Parker was found unconscious by her mother upon returning home.
The criminal investigation into Scholtes’ history of leaving children unattended in cars remains ongoing, with prosecutors citing this as evidence of a repeated pattern of neglectful behavior.
Scholtes faces serious charges, including first-degree murder, with the trial expected to examine the circumstances and his past conduct with his children.
