Arizona Father Dies by Suicide on Day of Sentencing in Hot Car Death of Daughter[VIDEO]

Pop Pulse November 06, 2025

Christopher Scholtes suicide. Pictured Arizona dad and 2 year old, Parker Scholtes who died of heat exhaustion in dad’s hot car during 109F weather after left unattended for 3 hours.
PHOENIX, Ariz. — An Arizona father who pleaded guilty to the death of his 2-year-old daughter after she was left in a hot vehicle has died by suicide on the day he was scheduled to be sentenced.

Christopher Scholtes, 38, was set to appear in court Wednesday to receive a sentence of 20 to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty in October to second-degree murder and child abuse. Before the hearing, the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that Scholtes was found deceased at a residence in the Phoenix area.

“The father took his own life last night,” Pima County Attorney Laura Conover said in a statement.

Court staff initially awaited Scholtes' arrival before learning of his death.

Scholtes’ daughter, Parker, died in July 2024 after being left in the family car at their Marana home during temperatures reaching 109°F. According to investigators, Scholtes had placed the child in her car seat with the air conditioning running, but later went inside to play video games, drink alcohol, and watch explicit content. The car’s AC system automatically shut off, leading to dangerous interior heat levels.

During questioning, Scholtes acknowledged that he was aware the vehicle’s air-conditioning system would turn off after about 30 minutes.

The child was discovered unresponsive when her mother, Dr. Erika Scholtes, returned home from work. Parker was transported to Banner University Medical Center, where she was later pronounced dead.

Court records state that Scholtes had a history of leaving children unattended in vehicles, and the couple’s two other children confirmed to investigators that this had happened multiple times.

Text messages referenced in court documents also showed prior concerns, including a message from Erika to Christopher the day Parker died:

“I told you to stop leaving them in the car, how many times have I told you.”

The couple's oldest daughter, now 17, has also filed a civil lawsuit alleging long-term emotional and physical abuse.

Legal Proceedings Prior to Death

Scholtes had been released on bail and was ordered to report to custody on the morning of his sentencing. He had previously declined a plea agreement that would have resulted in a 10-year sentence, before ultimately pleading guilty in October to avoid trial.

An autopsy has been ordered, though results are not expected until early 2026, according to officials.

The civil lawsuit filed by Scholtes’ eldest daughter remains pending. The couple’s remaining children are under the care of extended family.

 

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