Arizona girl, 2, left in car by father on 109-degree day and is found dead

[imstilla.grandma]

Scholtes told police he knew the car would shut off after 30 minutes.

'How could I do this?': He left his daughter in a hot car for hours. She died

Marana police say Christoper Scholtes, 37, intentionally left his daughter in the car that afternoon and had done so before.

www.azcentral.com

 

[LifeIsAMystery]

That doesn't look like a huge home that essentially has a separate living quarters he could use ( ie a mother-in-law place)

How is he going to avoid the other two children if he is still at home? Confine himself to an extra bedroom? Sit and watch TV all day and skulk about the kitchen at night? Does he get a car to drive? Can he go to stay with someone else?

He doesn't have to avoid them, he can't be alone with them as a caregiver. There were no prohibitions re: driving. I assume his SUV is currently impounded but mom has a Tesla and is on leave from work.

 

[ChatteringBirds]

RSBM

She can't be covering for him, pretending it was just a freak accident or mistake

She is planning a funeral for her baby while trying to care for two other young children and guide them through this, so I really think there has been no time to process this yet, and she should be given complete compassion. I don't know how I would act if in her shoes.

 

[NuttMegg]

RSBM



She is planning a funeral for her baby while trying to care for two other young children and guide them through this, so I really think there has been no time to process this yet, and she should be given complete compassion. I don't know how I would act if in her shoes.

Going by the wording of her pleading in court, imo supporting him as though he's one of her children. (Imo) So, i think it's fair to critique that aspect, while retaining sympathy for losing her baby.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

The emergency call has weighed heavily on every officer and paramedic who responded to the home in Marana, said Capt. Tim Brunenkant, who has been with the department for 29 years. He said the call is the first such incident to occur in the town during his tenure.

Police: Marana girl, 2, dies after being left in hot car

Between 1990 and 2023, Arizona had 47 deaths of kids left in cars, according to a national advocacy group.

tucson.com

2024 Hot Car Deaths​

#​	Date​	City​	State​	Child Sex​	Child Age​	Circumstances​	Link​
11	7/15/24	Lakewood	NJ	UNK	2 mos	Left	More info
10	7/10/24	Omaha	NE	M	5 yrs	UNK	More info
9	7/9/24	Marana	AZ	F	2 yrs	Knowingly Left	More info
8	7/7/24	Little Rock	AR	M	2 yrs	Knowingly Left	More info
7	7/3/24	Houston	TX	UNK	4 yrs	Unknowingly left	More info
6	7/2/24	Marrietta	GA	M	2 yrs	UNK	More info
5	6/26/24	Charlotte	NC	F	8 yrs	Knowingly Left	More info
4	6/13/24	Santee	CA	UNK	2 mos	Unknowingly Left	More info
3	5/22/24	Morgantown	WV	F	UNK	Unknowingly left	More info
2	5/20/24	Bradenton	FL	F	6 yrs	Knowingly Left	More info
1	5/3/24	Richland County	SC	F	3 yrs	Gained access	More info
Pending Cause of Death	6/25/24	Perry County	MS	M	3 yrs	UNK	More info
Pending Cause of Death	6/14/24	Washington	DC	M	4 yrs	UNK	More info
Pending Cause of Death	6/7/24	Indialantic	FL	UNK	3 yrs	UNK	More info

2024 Hot Car Deaths - Kids and Car Safety

Hot car related deaths from the year 2024, collected by Kids and Car Safety.

www.kidsandcars.org

 

[al66pine]

Mother's & Father's Texts. When? Where?

The texts were exchanged on the way to the hospital, while the baby's body was also enroute....

sbm @NuttMegg Thx for your post.

1.
If MSM quote of LE's complaint's quote of text* is accurate, is a bit unusual that TEXT has full sentences, std. grammar, NO abbreviations? Maybe w med training & experience, she maintains calm demeanor regardless of circumstances?
And HIS responding texts, w no abbrev's, etc?

2.
HOW did they go to hosp? Why text in transit?
A. Did both Mo. & Fa. ride in AMBU. TOGETHER?
If so, is it likely she since that text* in ambu, w him right there? Unless one parent was in ambu med bay & other in front cab, they could talk or whisper to ea other, so why text?

B. SEPARATELY, w Mo. in ambu & Fa. driving car?
Or would she have been focussing only on dau, perhaps offering guidance, wanted or unwanted, to EMTs?

C. If they went to hosp together in ONE CAR then why TEXT instead of talk? Unless they had dau(s) w them?

D. Other way to hosp, e.g., Uber, neighbor, relative? Together or separately?

Both ^ points puzzle me.

Maybe or likely because I'm the only person left in the US who doesn't text.

______________________________
* "The interim complaint also shows Scholtes received text messages from his wife while their daughter was being taken to the hospital stating: “I told you to stop leaving them in the car, How many times have I told you?” "
"He responded, “Babe, I’m sorry!” She then said “We’ve lost her, she was perfect,” and he responded by texting “Babe our family. How could I do this? I killed our baby, this can’t be real.” "
From Father may have been distracted by PlayStation when toddler died in hot car

 

[mickey2942]

RSBM

She is planning a funeral for her baby while trying to care for two other young children and guide them through this, so I really think there has been no time to process this yet, and she should be given complete compassion. I don't know how I would act if in her shoes.

It reminds me of Elizabeth Smart's mother, who said that she, "Just had to keep going". That makes sense to me. Sometimes, you don't really know what else to do, but what needs to be done, it is a coping skill for some people. I have no doubt that she is craving to go back to work, and push all of this out of her head.

 

[Judy Sleuth]

Mother's & Father's Texts. When? Where?

sbm @NuttMegg Thx for your post.

1.
If MSM quote of LE's complaint's quote of text* is accurate, is a bit unusual that TEXT has full sentences, std. grammar, NO abbreviations? Maybe w med training & experience, she maintains calm demeanor regardless of circumstances?
And HIS responding texts, w no abbrev's, etc?

2.
HOW did they go to hosp? Why text in transit?
A. Did both Mo. & Fa. ride in AMBU. TOGETHER?
If so, is it likely she since that text* in ambu, w him right there? Unless one parent was in ambu med bay & other in front cab, they could talk or whisper to ea other, so why text?

B. SEPARATELY, w Mo. in ambu & Fa. driving car?
Or would she have been focussing only on dau, perhaps offering guidance, wanted or unwanted, to EMTs?

C. If they went to hosp together in ONE CAR then why TEXT instead of talk? Unless they had dau(s) w them?

D. Other way to hosp, e.g., Uber, neighbor, relative? Together or separately?

Both ^ points puzzle me.

Maybe or likely because I'm the only person left in the US who doesn't text.

______________________________
* "The interim complaint also shows Scholtes received text messages from his wife while their daughter was being taken to the hospital stating: “I told you to stop leaving them in the car, How many times have I told you?” "
"He responded, “Babe, I’m sorry!” She then said “We’ve lost her, she was perfect,” and he responded by texting “Babe our family. How could I do this? I killed our baby, this can’t be real.” "
From Father may have been distracted by PlayStation when toddler died in hot car

One idea about A is that both phones used speech-to-text.

 

[tlcya]

I suspect mom went with Parker in ambulance or following the ambulance in whatever vehicle she arrived home in and dad stayed home to deal with LE and the two oldest daughters. I also suspect they may have been using a talk to text feature on their phones.

 

[al66pine]

Texts btwn Mother & Father?

One idea about A is that both phones used speech-to-text.

@Judy Sleuth Thx for response.

Ah, speech-to-text, a possibility I overlooked. That could explain texts w full sentences, no abbrev, etc.

@tlcya Thx for your post on this too.

 

[LifeIsAMystery]

Mother's & Father's Texts. When? Where?

sbm @NuttMegg Thx for your post.

1.
If MSM quote of LE's complaint's quote of text* is accurate, is a bit unusual that TEXT has full sentences, std. grammar, NO abbreviations? Maybe w med training & experience, she maintains calm demeanor regardless of circumstances?
And HIS responding texts, w no abbrev's, etc?

2.
HOW did they go to hosp? Why text in transit?
A. Did both Mo. & Fa. ride in AMBU. TOGETHER?
If so, is it likely she since that text* in ambu, w him right there? Unless one parent was in ambu med bay & other in front cab, they could talk or whisper to ea other, so why text?

B. SEPARATELY, w Mo. in ambu & Fa. driving car?
Or would she have been focussing only on dau, perhaps offering guidance, wanted or unwanted, to EMTs?

C. If they went to hosp together in ONE CAR then why TEXT instead of talk? Unless they had dau(s) w them?

D. Other way to hosp, e.g., Uber, neighbor, relative? Together or separately?

Both ^ points puzzle me.

Maybe or likely because I'm the only person left in the US who doesn't text.

______________________________
* "The interim complaint also shows Scholtes received text messages from his wife while their daughter was being taken to the hospital stating: “I told you to stop leaving them in the car, How many times have I told you?” "
"He responded, “Babe, I’m sorry!” She then said “We’ve lost her, she was perfect,” and he responded by texting “Babe our family. How could I do this? I killed our baby, this can’t be real.” "
From Father may have been distracted by PlayStation when toddler died in hot car

The mother went in the ambulance with the child. The father was with LE at the home.

 

[LifeIsAMystery]

Going by the wording of her pleading in court, imo supporting him as though he's one of her children. (Imo) So, i think it's fair to critique that aspect, while retaining sympathy for losing her baby.

Yet trying to make it that she is doing what is best for her surviving kids, when I may disagree that it is. JMOO. She seems like an enabler. No reason at all she could not have hired childcare at least PT. The dynamic between the parents seems unhealthy and he seemed to be "showing her" he'd do as he pleased or using care practices to upset her. Indifferent to the impact on kids. Again, JMOO.

 

[al66pine]

Mother to Hosp. by Ambulance?

The mother went in the ambulance with the child. The father was with LE at the home.

@LifeIsAMystery Thx for responding.
I thought I had read all the linked MSM but do not recall that. Could have missed it.

Anybody have a link handy?

 

[photoprose1122]

Things may change as more information comes out but currently it sounds like the dad isn’t denying he left his daughter in the car on purpose but at the same time is claiming some sort of memory lapse about leaving her for an extended period.

He told police he arrived home about 2:45, which isn’t true. He told police he checked on the girl, which isn’t true. When his wife arrived home it took a few minutes for him to “remember” the girl was still in the car.

IOW will he claim he became distracted by putting the food away and attending to the other kids? Will he claim to have had a clear (false) memory of bringing his daughter inside after 30 minutes?

Will his attorney seek a plea deal with lowered charges, claiming this “pillar of the community” had a memory lapse that day?

I guess it won’t matter as long as he pays with jail time and doesn’t skate with probation.
All MOO

I am curious if he has ADHD… the hyperfocus on the videogame and time blindness are typical for someone with ADHD. Not an excuse of course, just curious.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

The mother texted: “We’ve lost her. She was perfect.”

'I killed our baby. This can’t be real': documents used to charge Scholtes show texts to, from wife

A father whose daughter died after being left in a hot car, knew the car would shut off automatically. That is just one of the allegations in the document used to charge Christoper Scholtes.

www.kgun9.com

 

[imstilla.grandma]

• The WAZE traffic app has a setting that reminds a driver to check the back seat once they have reached a destination that was entered into the app.
• A battery-operated sensor system that works with a child safety seat and is synchronized to an app can send a notification to the driver’s phone to check the vehicle once it has stopped.
• Some car seat manufacturers offer sensor technology using a smart chest clip that syncs with the vehicle computer and lets the driver know if the chest clip on the car seat is not unlocked within a short time after the ignition is stopped.
• A built-in back seat reminder sensor system is available in some vehicles. The system activates when the rear door is either opened or closed within 10 minutes before the vehicle is started or while it is still running.

“It’s important to have different levels of safety and redundancy in keeping children safe from being left unattended in a hot car,” Kovar said. “You can’t ever be too careful or too vigilant when it comes to child passenger safety, especially when the consequences are too horrible to consider.”

Expert tips to prevent child deaths in hot cars - AgriLife Today

A Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert offers tip on how to help avoid child death from being left unattended in a hot car.

agrilifetoday.tamu.edu

 

[SMK777]

I am trying to catch up with all the posts since I left earlier, but in terms of the below, is the consensus that he forgot she was out there? ​

Father knew A/C in car would shut off in half hour​

'How could I do this?': He left his daughter in a hot car for hours. She died

Marana police say Christoper Scholtes, 37, intentionally left his daughter in the car that afternoon and had done so before.

www.azcentral.com

 

[LifeIsAMystery]

I am trying to catch up with all the posts since I left earlier, but in terms of the below, is the consensus that he forgot she was out there? ​

Father knew A/C in car would shut off in half hour​

'How could I do this?': He left his daughter in a hot car for hours. She died

Marana police say Christoper Scholtes, 37, intentionally left his daughter in the car that afternoon and had done so before.

www.azcentral.com

No, imo. He frequently left the kids in the car as kind of a containment device while he gamed per the older kids. Per your link he knew she was there and that AC would shut off. Was not a mistake about either of those facts. I think he got caught up in gaming and whatever was in the glass and chose to ignore those responsibilities.

 

[MsMarple]

I am trying to catch up with all the posts since I left earlier, but in terms of the below, is the consensus that he forgot she was out there? ​

Father knew A/C in car would shut off in half hour​

'How could I do this?': He left his daughter in a hot car for hours. She died

Marana police say Christoper Scholtes, 37, intentionally left his daughter in the car that afternoon and had done so before.

www.azcentral.com

I think he’s claiming he forgot she was in the car for three hours. I’m not sure exactly how he explained it but it seems like he’s saying he planned to get the girl from the car when the app alerted that the car engine turned off.

Except he said he didn’t receive the notice. All I’ve been able to find is this:

Scholtes left the car running with air conditioning and "wanted her to remain in the vehicle while she slept," he told police, according to the documents.

The A/C automatically shuts off after 30 minutes, something Scholtes knew, the documents say.

Scholtes didn't realize he had forgotten about leaving his daughter in the hot car until after his wife Erika returned home from work a couple hours later, asking where the toddler was. The couple found the 2-year-old unresponsive and "still strapped in her child restraint system."

'I killed our baby': Arizona dad distracted by video games leaves daughter in hot car: Docs

Christopher Scholtes was putting groceries away and playing video games after leaving the toddler in the car for hours amid triple-digit temperatures, records show.

www.usatoday.com

So IOW some variation of Forgotten Baby Syndrome. Something like he planned to bring her in within a half hour but became distracted. I don’t know if that would fly but given the right expert who knows how a jury would react? He appears to be a loving, family oriented father, at least on social media, which might cause a hurdle for the prosecution.

That’s why I wonder if he’ll be offered a plea deal.
MOO

 

[NuttMegg]

I am trying to catch up with all the posts since I left earlier, but in terms of the below, is the consensus that he forgot she was out there? ​

Father knew A/C in car would shut off in half hour​

'How could I do this?': He left his daughter in a hot car for hours. She died

Marana police say Christoper Scholtes, 37, intentionally left his daughter in the car that afternoon and had done so before.

www.azcentral.com

Well, an alternative could be that it was 100% intentional, that he remembered she was out there but needed just one more game or competition, lost track of time but didn't "forget". Then when ES got home he pretended to look for Parker.

Hard to believe a dad would forget about the baby, but forgetting is the charitable choice.

I don't know what to think. Another possibility is that he was drinking or on drugs, and didn't forget, but was out of it. LE should be able to tell if there was constant activity on the device, no? Does PS5 use home wifi? I wonder if he told the other girls not to bother him.