**Arizona Father Who Pleaded Guilty to Child Death Dies Ahead of Prison Sentence**
*Published: November 5, 2025, 3:13 p.m. ET*
Christopher Scholtes, an Arizona father who recently pled guilty to charges related to the tragic death of his 2-year-old daughter, has died, RadarOnline.com can confirm. The Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office listed Scholtes as “deceased” on Wednesday, November 5 — the very day he was scheduled to report to prison. Phoenix police are currently investigating his death as a possible suicide.
Scholtes was expected to appear in Pima County Superior Court on Wednesday, November 5, for a hearing to be taken into custody as part of his plea agreement, but he failed to show up. Deputy County Attorney Kim Hunley described the situation as “unexpected” and has promised further updates as the investigation continues.
### Guilty Plea and Pending Sentencing
Late last month, 38-year-old Scholtes pled guilty to one count of second-degree murder and one count of intentional or knowing child abuse under circumstances likely to cause death or serious physical injury. These charges stemmed from the 2024 death of his daughter Parker, who tragically spent more than three hours trapped inside his hot vehicle.
Initially pleading not guilty, Scholtes was permitted to remain out of custody until the November 5 court appearance. His formal sentencing had been scheduled for November 21.
### Details of the Tragic Incident
According to prosecutors, Scholtes left his youngest child, Parker, inside his car while he ran errands and returned home. During this time, he reportedly consumed several beers he had shoplifted earlier that day, played video games, and searched for online adult content on his PlayStation — all while the toddler remained locked inside the vehicle.
Scholtes claimed that he left the car running with the air conditioning on; however, after an extended period, the vehicle shut off. Medical examiners reported that temperatures inside the 2003 Acura climbed as high as 109 degrees Fahrenheit during the three hours Parker was trapped.
### Parker’s Mother Finds Her in Critical Condition
Parker’s mother, an anesthesiologist, discovered her daughter in critical condition inside the car with the air conditioning off when she returned home around 4 p.m. The toddler was rushed to the same hospital where her mother works but was pronounced dead about an hour later.
This was not the first time Scholtes had “forgotten” a child in a car. Following Parker’s death, his wife Erika reportedly texted him in a panic: “I told you to stop leaving them in the car. How many times have I told you?”
Their two surviving daughters, ages 6 and 9 at the time, told investigators in interviews that Scholtes had left them alone in the car on multiple occasions as well. Additionally, his 16-year-old daughter from a previous marriage claimed that he frequently left her alone inside cars without food for hours, leading Child Protective Services (CPS) to remove her from his care.
### Previous Allegations of Child Abuse
Christopher Scholtes had previously been investigated nine times between June 2014 and December 2020 on allegations related to neglect and physical and emotional abuse of his teenage daughter from a prior marriage.
Reports included claims that he slapped and spanked her, sometimes leaving bruises, and that on one occasion, he allegedly “slapped the child, causing them to lose their breath,” and left her to manage her diabetes without parental supervision.
Other accusations detailed verbal abuse, including frequent yelling and the use of derogatory names. A report specifically mentioned that Scholtes would “yell at the child excessively” and say things intended to “break [her] mentally,” referring to her as “a mistake.”
Despite these serious allegations, each case was eventually deemed unsubstantiated due to insufficient evidence to support the claims.
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The tragic death of Parker Scholtes highlights critical issues around child safety and neglect. Authorities continue their investigation into Christopher Scholtes’ death, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
https://radaronline.com/p/arizona-dad-christopher-scholtes-dead-hot-car/
