An Arizona father who was facing 20 to 30 years in prison for his daughter’s death in a hot car has been found dead.
Christopher Scholtes, 38, was found dead in Phoenix after failing to appear for a Pima County court hearing Wednesday morning, Pima County Attorney Laura Conover said.
"Instead of coming in to take account for what has occurred here, we have been informed — and we have confirmed — that the father took his own life last night," Conover said in a recorded statement Wednesday.
Scholtes last month accepted a plea agreement, pleading guilty to one count of second-degree murder and one count of intentional/knowing child abuse under circumstance likely to cause death or serious physical injury, according to the Pima County Attorney’s Office.
On July 9, 2024, Scholtes told Marana police that his 2-year-old daughter had been sleeping in her car seat when he arrived home, so he intentionally left her in the car parked in the driveway with the air conditioner running. But by the time he returned to the car, the engine had shut off and the child was unresponsive.
The outside temperature at the time of the incident was 109 degrees. Police said the girl was in the car for three hours before she was found.
Scholtes was scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 21.
"This is obviously extraordinarily complicated and we extend our deepest sympathies and sorrow to all the loved ones who have suffered the loss of this beautiful baby girl. And now another loss to his family," Conover said.
