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

[BrownRice]

BOND HEARING FOR CHRISTOPHER SHOLTES

12TH JULY

STATE - As this court knows and, we've discussed this with previous hearings, the state's recommendation of high bonds with murder cases without criminal history and while the court definitely may consider the lack of criminal history as well as the abuse of the victim, which I understand are in the pre-trial services report, the nature of the offense is also considered as well.

Of most concern to the state in the interim complaint is the lack of true telling by the defendant when interviewed by the police, that was quickly contradicted by police as well as his awareness not only the timing that the car would shut off, but the text messages between him and his wife indicating that there was an awareness that this was an issue long before this happened. So, given the nature of the offense, the state is requesting the million dollar bond.

MOTHER - I would like to be heard please, and your honor, is it ok if I don't show myself?

JUDGE - That's fine.

MOTHER - So, thank you for allowing me to speak. I just wanted to say that no-one understands how great of a tragedy this is, more than myself, my girls, my remaining two daughters, and Christopher. So, not only do we have to move forward with grieving for my daughter but we potentially could be losing their father. So the absolute worst case scenario for our family is if Chris were to be away from us. We're already hurting, no-one else shares this bond and this trauma like all of us, all four of us. I know the significance of the tragedy and I don't want you to think for a second that I underestimate the impact that it has on our lives, on everyone's lives, or that I'm undermining your concerns about the safety of those in our household. So, I'm just asking if you can allow him to come home to us so we can all start the grieving process so that he can bury our daughter with us, this upcoming week, and that we can go through this whole process together as a family and so, I understand that there is concern for flight risk, I just don't see that as a thing. We live in this home that all of our girls were brought home in. If anything, Chris wants to stay here, he's always been cooperative through this entire process and we'll ensure that we have continued cooperation and if there's anything additional that is needed from the courts to ensure our safety, I'm happy to help with those certainties that are needed.

He's an amazing father, he's a pillar of our community, he's been a coach for young kids. He's taken them to school every day, he's been the main caregiver; I work many hours so they're all that he sees. This was a big mistake and I think that this doesn't represent him and I just want the girls to see their father so that I don't have to tell them tonight that they're going to endure another loss. And that's all I have to say your honor.

Judge releases him to pre-trial services and doesn't believe a money bond is appropriate at this time.

That was interesting. Mom was so calm and professional. Maybe her medical background. Dad, only while she was speaking, looked like he was having convulsions.

 

[BrownRice]

...but the text messages between him and his wife indicating that there was an awareness that this was an issue long before this happened.

Whoa! WTH? This has been an issue before and no bail? Wow.

Where did you see info about texts?

 

[katydid23]

 

[katydid23]

...but the text messages between him and his wife indicating that there was an awareness that this was an issue long before this happened.

Whoa! WTH? This has been an issue before and no bail? Wow.

If the wife was aware of him doing this previously, WHY is she so forgiving now? I don't get it. It's a 'mistake' if it happens once. But it's a bad habit if it was an ongoing pattern of child abuse---which is what that is---child abuse to leave a baby in a car on a 109 degree day.

 

[SouthAussie]

Where did you see info about texts?

The prosecutor states it - at about 45:15 in the Bond Hearing video.

Bond Hearing video

 

[Allabouttrial]

2nd degree is intentional murder. I don't think they'll keep that charge. Manslaughter and negligence from a very stupid idiot of a father sounds more like it.

Doesn't have to be intentional BBM:

---

13-1104. Second degree murder; classification

A. A person commits second degree murder if without premeditation:

1. The person intentionally causes the death of another person, including an unborn child or, as a result of intentionally causing the death of another person, causes the death of an unborn child; or

2. Knowing that the person's conduct will cause death or serious physical injury, the person causes the death of another person, including an unborn child or, as a result of knowingly causing the death of another person, causes the death of an unborn child; or

3. Under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to human life, the person recklessly engages in conduct that creates a grave risk of death and thereby causes the death of another person, including an unborn child or, as a result of recklessly causing the death of another person, causes the death of an unborn child.

---

13-1104 - Second degree murder; classification

 

[ChatteringBirds]

It doesn't sound like the father is a flight risk, but his mental health right now must be serious. I hope he's receiving real help. Very sad statement from the mother.

 

[mickey2942]

I am getting to the point with these "Hot Car Deaths" to want to know the medical history of the child, and if there had been any disabilities identified. Or behavioral issues.

 

[Arkay]

If the wife was aware of him doing this previously, WHY is she so forgiving now? I don't get it. It's a 'mistake' if it happens once. But it's a bad habit if it was an ongoing pattern of child abuse---which is what that is---child abuse to leave a baby in a car on a 109 degree day.

My sentiments exactly.

I grasp that the mom is worried for her surviving daughters and about amplifying their grief by not having their father home.

I do NOT understand why she sounds calm and so forgiving. Doctor or no, this is her child who died, not a random patient of hers.

Now that we know this was habitual and routine, leaving a two year old alone in a running car, I cannot abide the mom calling it just “a big mistake.” It wasn’t a mistake, it wasn’t a one-time deadly oversight, it was a method of theirs and likely going on since the child was even younger.

IMO the dad didn’t need a car alert to tell him to remove his daughter from the car. God gave him an alert…109°. I presume he can read a thermometer or comprehend the Arizona local news that informed him of the deadly heat wave.

It’s incomprehensible to me.

JMO

ETA: @Allabouttrial Thank you for providing the transcript. You’re heroic that way!