TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – The Marana man accused of leaving his daughter in a hot car, leading to her death, has been charged with second-degree murder and child abuse.
The Marana Police Department said 37-year-old Christopher Scholtes was taken into custody Friday, July 12.
Scholtes made his initial court appearance later in the day. A not guilty plea was entered by the judge and he was later released to pre-trial services.
The state asked for a $1 million bond, but the judge refused to set it that high.
Scholtes’ wife spoke during his appearance and said she wants him back home with their other children to begin the grieving process. She also said he is not a risk to the community.
Outside of a DUI charge from 15 years ago, Scholtes does not have a criminal history.
Scholtes’ 2-year-old daughter died July 9 when he left her in a vehicle in the driveway of the family home in the 5100 block of West Paytons Court, which is near Cortaro and Interstate 10.
Police said Scholtes told officers he took his daughter on some errands and then went home. She was asleep in her car seat, so he left her in the vehicle while he went inside.
He claimed he left the vehicle running with the AC on. When he went back outside, the car was off and his daughter was unconscious. She was transported to a Tucson hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Authorities said Scholtes’ timeline of events do not match security video from a neighbor.
Scholtes said they got home around 2 p.m., but security video shows the vehicle arriving around 12:53 p.m. and it didn’t leave again.
Around 4 p.m., Scholtes’ wife came home from work and asked where her daughter was. That is when Scholtes and his wife ran outside to check the vehicle.
They called 911 and then brought their daughter inside the home. They and first responders tried to revive her, but those efforts were not successful.
The vehicle has been identified as a 2023 Acura MDX. According to the owner’s manual, the car will shut off after 20 minutes if the door is opened, if the vehicle is in park and if the driver’s seatbelt is not buckled.
Authorities confiscated several things from the home, including the vehicle, Scholtes’ phone, a PlayStation 5, and other electronic devices.
The MPD has said the incident is a stark reminder of the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles. The temperature inside a vehicle can rise rapidly, even on relatively mild days, leading to potentially fatal outcomes within minutes.
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