GUILTY Arizona girl, 2, left in car by father on 109-degree day and is found dead #2 (guilty plea, father found dead 5 November 2025 before sentencing)

[abyquinn]

I really don’t think so. I live in Phoenix (where they have apparently moved!), and everyone up here is furious about this case. If there is one thing Arizonans know it’s heat. He intentionally left his kids in the car repeatedly. There are multiple witnesses to this, including his own family. His own wife! He admitted to repeatedly endangering them in his own texts. Christopher Scholtes is going DOWN.

Thank you, vinsrygg! I’ve seen the same here in Tucson. It seems like everyone is aware of this and no one has any sympathy for the parents. He should’ve taken the 25 years, he had a chance of being paroled if he ever takes responsibility for his actions. (Personally, I’m glad he didn’t take the deal & I’m furious it was offered to someone with his charges.) If he has a jury trial he will most likely be convicted & will die in prison. Seems fair to me.

 

[Herat]

Public reaction is one thing, but there are a lot of things that happen in court that public opinion can play no part of.

Is he under any stipulation at all while awaiting court action?

I just sense everything could all be back to the usual, except perhaps now there is a babysitter for the remaining two children.

I have a bad sense that he won't be suffering much for any of his actions.

 

[MsMarple]

TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - The Marana father charged in the hot car death of his daughter appeared in court today, August 15.
…
The defense said it plans to file a motion to continue the trial.

The defense also stated its intention to ask the court to order a settlement conference. The defense said additional mitigating factors have come up that it wants to be considered.

The state opposes a settlement conference after a plea deal was rejected.

The judge will order a settlement conference over the state’s objection.
…
The state wants what is called a 404 motion hearing. The defense motion to continue the trial to a later date will also be heard.

A settlement conference was not set.

Christopher Scholtes agrees to plea deal in daughter’s hot car death

The deal holds a sentence of no more than 30 years in prison for both counts.

www.kold.com

More at the link. Motions from both sides are set to be heard on September 19.

A defense attorney who is not involved in the case said that while a premeditated first-degree murder charge does not seem to fit, a felony first-degree murder charge could apply when another felony is being committed, such as child abuse.

IMO that seems about right: if the cap fits…

 

[mickey2942]

Christopher Scholtes agrees to plea deal in daughter’s hot car death

The deal holds a sentence of no more than 30 years in prison for both counts.

www.kold.com

I really don't understand why he is out, with a first degree murder charge. When he got bail, or OR?! It was before the 1st degree murder charge by the Grand Jury. Of course, the court let him go on vacation to Hawaii. Eye roll.

 

[tlcya]

TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - The Marana father charged in the hot car death of his daughter appeared in court today, August 15.
…
The defense said it plans to file a motion to continue the trial.

The defense also stated its intention to ask the court to order a settlement conference. The defense said additional mitigating factors have come up that it wants to be considered.

The state opposes a settlement conference after a plea deal was rejected.

The judge will order a settlement conference over the state’s objection.
…
The state wants what is called a 404 motion hearing. The defense motion to continue the trial to a later date will also be heard.

A settlement conference was not set.

Christopher Scholtes agrees to plea deal in daughter’s hot car death

The deal holds a sentence of no more than 30 years in prison for both counts.

www.kold.com

More at the link. Motions from both sides are set to be heard on September 19.

A defense attorney who is not involved in the case said that while a premeditated first-degree murder charge does not seem to fit, a felony first-degree murder charge could apply when another felony is being committed, such as child abuse.

IMO that seems about right: if the cap fits…

This makes me very angry. The guy turned down a plea, now his defense wants to force a "settlement" conference. H E L L to the nah. Judge grants that motion.

 

[MsMarple]

Oh ho, a 404 hearing:

In essence, a "404 hearing" in Arizona involves a judge making a decision about whether or not evidence of a person's character or prior bad acts is admissible in a trial. The judge will consider the arguments from both sides and apply the principles outlined in Arizona Rule of Evidence 404 to determine if the evidence is relevant and not unfairly prejudiciaL.
———
Sounds like the prosecution wants to admit Chris’ prior behavior. I suspect the defense will oppose.

 

[mickey2942]

The prior "bad acts" make the entire case. Which could be the reason the Grand Jury went for Murder in the first degree. Really, the case is a slam dunk, leaving kids in car before, his wife telling him she told him "not to leave the kids in the car". The theft of the beer that day, is really insightful. Maybe he didn't have money for beer? And had to steal it to have any.

 

[tlcya]

I think the beer theft has to do with him not wanting the wife to find out how much he was drinking. No money spent either cash or plastic means it didn't happen right?

 

[mickey2942]

I think the beer theft has to do with him not wanting the wife to find out how much he was drinking. No money spent either cash or plastic means it didn't happen right?

I guess that "beer money" was not part of his allowance. It doesn't surprise me that he left Parker in the car, because his wife had "told him NOT to do it again". And this was a passive-aggressive way of "getting back" at her telling him what to do and not to do.

He "showed" her!!! He disobeyed her order, not to leave the kids in the car.

 

[tlcya]

I guess that "beer money" was not part of his allowance. It doesn't surprise me that he left Parker in the car, because his wife had "told him NOT to do it again". And this was a passive-aggressive way of "getting back" at her telling him what to do and not to do.

He "showed" her!!! He disobeyed her order, not to leave the kids in the car.

yep, I think you have nailed their marital dysfunction quite nicely here.

 

[snarast]

The prior "bad acts" make the entire case. Which could be the reason the Grand Jury went for Murder in the first degree. Really, the case is a slam dunk, leaving kids in car before, his wife telling him she told him "not to leave the kids in the car". The theft of the beer that day, is really insightful. Maybe he didn't have money for beer? And had to steal it to have any.

He is out as a caretaker of children?!?

Yeah, comes from a good family, MD wife, I’m sure it will be fine…

 

[mickey2942]

CS, is looking for a new plea deal...the DA isn't interested.

"Marana Police body cameras caught Christopher Scholtes as he waited to hear if his daughter would survive. She didn’t. Investigators say she spent almost three and a half hours strapped in a car seat in temperatures well over a hundred degrees; while her father sat in the living room drinking, playing video games and watching pornography.".

CS is such a sympathetic perpetrator. An unemployed drunk, who steals booze, and watched porn, playing video games while his 2 year old daughter was trapped in a hot oven car, and died.

Dad in hot car death seeks new plea deal

The father charged with 1st degree murder for leaving his 2 year old child in a hot car has already rejected a plea deal in the case but he and his lawyer are taking another try for a reduced charge.

www.kgun9.com

 

[mickey2942]

Christopher Scholtes agrees to plea deal in daughter’s hot car death

The deal holds a sentence of no more than 30 years in prison for both counts.

www.kold.com

Another article, with more information. Apparently, Christopher Scholtes wants to continue the trial, request to reschedule the trial date. Sure, just kick it down the road, change attorneys, have a competency hearing, go to substance abuse treatment.

I am tired of judges allowing this type of judicial system abuse. Christopher Scholtes had had over a year to work on his defense, except of course, when he was on vacation in Hawaii. Eye roll.

 

[Nieves]

Humanity doesn't take care of the little ones. This story is repeated everywhere in the world. In any neighborhood, in any social group.

 

[Nieves]

DBM

 

[Nieves]

DBM

 

[MsMarple]

Christopher Scholtes agrees to plea deal in daughter’s hot car death

The deal holds a sentence of no more than 30 years in prison for both counts.

www.kold.com

Another article, with more information. Apparently, Christopher Scholtes wants to continue the trial, request to reschedule the trial date. Sure, just kick it down the road, change attorneys, have a competency hearing, go to substance abuse treatment.

I am tired of judges allowing this type of judicial system abuse. Christopher Scholtes had had over a year to work on his defense, except of course, when he was on vacation in Hawaii. Eye roll.

What’s concerning is that the DA wants to go forward with the case but the judge seems to be pushing some sort of plea deal. Why?

JMO I’m afraid the court’s sympathy lies with Christopher and not Parker.

 

[mickey2942]

What’s concerning is that the DA wants to go forward with the case but the judge seems to be pushing some sort of plea deal. Why?

JMO I’m afraid the court’s sympathy lies with Christopher and not Parker.

It does seem that way. I wish that we had more female judges. It makes me wonder if male judges have some sort of unconscious bias, and possibly counter transference issues.

Seeing the accused as a "poor working Dad" overwhelmed. Instead CS is a lazy scum bag, leeching off his wife, supposedly a "stay at home Dad", when really he just ignores the kids, watches inappropriate videos all day, while playing video games. Nothing redeeming here to see.

 

[tlcya]

It does seem that way. I wish that we had more female judges. It makes me wonder if male judges have some sort of unconscious bias, and possibly counter transference issues.

Seeing the accused as a "poor working Dad" overwhelmed. Instead CS is a lazy scum bag, leeching off his wife, supposedly a "stay at home Dad", when really he just ignores the kids, watches inappropriate videos all day, while playing video games. Nothing redeeming here to see.

unfortunately, I suspect it is a bias the opposite direction in this instance. the judge in this case is a female, the honorable Kimberly Ortiz. Perhaps she simply feels a dad isn't as qualified, knowledgeable, or competent to be the stay at home parent. Poor stupid man, he didn't mean to, but he is, after all, just a man. (sarcasm alert)

Marana father makes court appearance in daughter’s hot car death

 

[LoveyG]

CS, is looking for a new plea deal...the DA isn't interested.

"Marana Police body cameras caught Christopher Scholtes as he waited to hear if his daughter would survive. She didn’t. Investigators say she spent almost three and a half hours strapped in a car seat in temperatures well over a hundred degrees; while her father sat in the living room drinking, playing video games and watching .".

CS is such a sympathetic perpetrator. An unemployed drunk, who steals booze, and watched , playing video games while his 2 year old daughter was trapped in a hot oven car, and died.

Dad in hot car death seeks new plea deal

The father charged with 1st degree murder for leaving his 2 year old child in a hot car has already rejected a plea deal in the case but he and his lawyer are taking another try for a reduced charge.

www.kgun9.com

Even without the neglect and tragic death of her daughter, the rest of his behavior would be more than enough to dump him. And yet she stays, as if he's a catch. Crazy.