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

[MsMarple]

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

I wonder if the judge will happen to hear about today’s press conference in the Emmanuel Haro case. The DA made clear he wanted jail time for the perpetrator in a previous case but said the judge messed up by letting him go. The guy went on to harm another baby.

It’s about time to let the court system know that the public is watching closely and is no longer in any mood to stand by silently when justice is denied.

IMO Christopher remains a danger to his surviving children and should not be allowed to escape punishment. He and his wife haven’t learned a darn thing.
JMO

 

[abyquinn]

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

This is exactly what I thought he & his atty were up to when he turned down the deal. He knows he is going to jail, one way or another. He just wants to stretch his time before sentencing as far as possible.

I truly wish I could figure out what’s up with Judge Ortiz, everyone here that I’ve spoken to or even I’ve overheard discussing this, wants CS to go to jail for a very long time. No one has any sympathy for either parent. So what’s up with the judge? I’m frustrated and worried about where she is taking this.

Parker deserved better from her father and her mother! And now it looks like Judge Ortiz isn’t going to do the right thing either.

 

[threesevenninefour]

https://dcs.az.gov/sites/default/files/StatementFatality/Statement-fatality-PS.pdf

The Arizona Department of Public Safety published this report on September 10, 2025. It lists a very long list of previous complaints made to DCS about abuse in the Scholtes household. One can deduce that these incidents were all likely involving his eldest daughter from a relationship before Erika. Really sickening to see it all laid out like this, along with the fact that absolutely nothing was done about this obvious pattern of behavior.

I also find it interesting that the DCS complaints often listed the “stepmother” as participating in the child’s neglect. And this woman continues to have a medical license and stick by “her man.” Scary.

MOO.

 

[ChatteringBirds]

It lists a very long list of previous complaints made to DCS about abuse

My opinion only: I think the allegations were made by the child's biological mother. They were investigated, but there wasn't enough evidence. No visible bruises seen by the caseworker, no other witnesses, allegation that a prescription wasn't filled was untrue, because it had been filled. In one, the child was supposed to go to therapy, but CS said they couldn't afford it. In another he admitted to "spanking" her. But it was the biological mother and child's word against theirs for most of the allegations.

Do I think there were serious problems with neglect? Yes, because E even texted CS about having told him not to leave the kids alone in the car.

In Parker's case, it's clear CS had a problem with alcohol. Something serious was bound to happen.

I would love to know what Parker's sisters all say about emotional or physical abuse occuring in the household.

I am not saying I don't believe the oldest daughter's allegations above. I just don't think there was evidence of physical abuse seen by a caseworker, and how do you prove emotional abuse without a witness?

 

[threesevenninefour]

My opinion only: I think the allegations were made by the child's biological mother. They were investigated, but there wasn't enough evidence. No visible bruises seen by the caseworker, no other witnesses, allegation that a prescription wasn't filled was untrue, because it had been filled. In one, the child was supposed to go to therapy, but CS said they couldn't afford it. In another he admitted to "spanking" her. But it was the biological mother and child's word against theirs for most of the allegations.

Do I think there were serious problems with neglect? Yes, because E even texted CS about having told him not to leave the kids alone in the car.

In Parker's case, it's clear CS had a problem with alcohol. Something serious was bound to happen.

I would love to know what Parker's sisters all say about emotional or physical abuse occuring in the household.

I am not saying I don't believe the oldest daughter's allegations above. I just don't think there was evidence of physical abuse seen by a caseworker, and how do you prove emotional abuse without a witness?

Yes, hindsight is definitely 20/20 here—obviously, the allegations are more sinister due to what ended up happening to Parker.

Of course, we now know Erika has a history of excusing Chris’ neglect and bad behaviors, so it wouldn’t surprise me she did the same thing here. But, that’s just my assumption based on recent history, and, like you said, it’s hard to prove verbal/emotional abuse when there’s nothing in writing.

MOO.

 

[LittleSeaTree]

https://dcs.az.gov/sites/default/files/StatementFatality/Statement-fatality-PS.pdf

The Arizona Department of Public Safety published this report on September 10, 2025. It lists a very long list of previous complaints made to DCS about abuse in the Scholtes household. One can deduce that these incidents were all likely involving his eldest daughter from a relationship before Erika. Really sickening to see it all laid out like this, along with the fact that absolutely nothing was done about this obvious pattern of behavior.

I also find it interesting that the DCS complaints often listed the “stepmother” as participating in the child’s neglect. And this woman continues to have a medical license and stick by “her man.” Scary.

MOO.

Whoa whoa whoa whoaaaa…..all ‘unsubstantiated’???!! That poor kid! Editing after reading ChatteringBirds reply and calming down I see what you’re saying about the allegations coming from her mother. But then I think I’m still thinking ‘poor kid’ just by virtue of all of that ugliness going on for so long. What a mess.

 

[ChatteringBirds]

see what you’re saying about the allegations coming from her mother. But then I think I’m still thinking ‘poor kid’ just by virtue of all of that ugliness going on for so long. What a mess.

I understand, though. I was trying to be rational and not emotional (for once in my life), but who knows the truth regarding this report. We would hear everyone's testimony in a court of law ideally.

 

[dalsglen]

Well we've already been told by the now teen daughter that he often left her in the car alone for hours. The two other siblings told the police dad did the same.

That was his version of childcare. Whack them in the car and tadaa, dad's free to play like a kid.

 

[mickey2942]

I don't see this guy wanting to go to trial. There is not even any sort of excuse, like he forgot to drop her off at daycare, and went to work. That would be something I could possibly understand.

But, this guy doesn't have a job. He is supposed to watch the kids. That is his ONE JOB! So, that means, get kids out of the car. Not leave one in the car, so he could play video games. No pass here. I don't see men or women being good jurors for this guy. Definitely not me.

What type of plea deal do you get for murder one? 20 years? 5 years? He is definitely going to get jail time. He wants a "Get Out of Jail Free" card. I don't see that happening here.

 

[sunspun]

https://dcs.az.gov/sites/default/files/StatementFatality/Statement-fatality-PS.pdf

The Arizona Department of Public Safety published this report on September 10, 2025. It lists a very long list of previous complaints made to DCS about abuse in the Scholtes household. One can deduce that these incidents were all likely involving his eldest daughter from a relationship before Erika. Really sickening to see it all laid out like this, along with the fact that absolutely nothing was done about this obvious pattern of behavior.

I also find it interesting that the DCS complaints often listed the “stepmother” as participating in the child’s neglect. And this woman continues to have a medical license and stick by “her man.” Scary.

MOO.

Thank you for posting the report. I have read the report, and it makes my heart ache for that daughter. It must have been so discouraging for her to continue reporting her father's awful behavior toward her and to see absolutely nothing come of it. Not a thing was ever done, until the final report listed, where they finally allowed the daughter to go live with the mother. The daughter was never believed.

 

[Kittypoo]

Thank you for posting the report. I have read the report, and it makes my heart ache for that daughter. It must have been so discouraging for her to continue reporting her father's awful behavior toward her and to see absolutely nothing come of it. Not a thing was ever done, until the final report listed, where they finally allowed the daughter to go live with the mother. The daughter was never believed.

Parker is a girl quite disturbing that this department can’t even get her gender correct.
All unbelievable

 

[Charlot123]

https://dcs.az.gov/sites/default/files/StatementFatality/Statement-fatality-PS.pdf

The Arizona Department of Public Safety published this report on September 10, 2025. It lists a very long list of previous complaints made to DCS about abuse in the Scholtes household. One can deduce that these incidents were all likely involving his eldest daughter from a relationship before Erika. Really sickening to see it all laid out like this, along with the fact that absolutely nothing was done about this obvious pattern of behavior.

I also find it interesting that the DCS complaints often listed the “stepmother” as participating in the child’s neglect. And this woman continues to have a medical license and stick by “her man.” Scary.

MOO.

I suspect that there was time when both F and SM were very emotional and the atmosphere was tense in the house, for whatever reason. Erica grew and matured. Not Chris.

Still sorry for her as the mother who lost her child. But her and the girls' lives are not going to be easy with Chris in jail. It can explain a lot.

Chris either hopes that something (a good lawyer? Money?) will pull him out of jail or he is in denial.

Lots of high-profile lawyers require the family to be actively supportive of the criminal. It is likely important for the outcome of the trial, how the family looks in the eyes of the jury. (Remembering the painting that Iris created, the innocent and two angels on his side.) So I think that sadly, the wife has little choice.

 

[mickey2942]

I suspect that there was time when both F and SM were very emotional and the atmosphere was tense in the house, for whatever reason. Erica grew and matured. Not Chris.

Still sorry for her as the mother who lost her child. But her and the girls' lives are not going to be easy with Chris in jail. It can explain a lot.

Chris either hopes that something (a good lawyer? Money?) will pull him out of jail or he is in denial.

Lots of high-profile lawyers require the family to be actively supportive of the criminal. It is likely important for the outcome of the trial, how the family looks in the eyes of the jury. (Remembering the painting that Iris created, the innocent and two angels on his side.) So I think that sadly, the wife has little choice.

Secondary victims, family of victim, always have a choice. It is quite apparent that Parker's maternal grandmother, Cynthia King, definitely thinks Chris Scholtes should be incarcerated.

2-year-old who died in hot car remembered at memorial one year later

Parker Scholtes died last year when she was left in a car on a day that was 109 degrees. Her grandmother had a memorial for her to remember her life.

www.kgun9.com

 

[LadyL]

https://dcs.az.gov/sites/default/files/StatementFatality/Statement-fatality-PS.pdf

The Arizona Department of Public Safety published this report on September 10, 2025. It lists a very long list of previous complaints made to DCS about abuse in the Scholtes household. One can deduce that these incidents were all likely involving his eldest daughter from a relationship before Erika. Really sickening to see it all laid out like this, along with the fact that absolutely nothing was done about this obvious pattern of behavior.

I also find it interesting that the DCS complaints often listed the “stepmother” as participating in the child’s neglect. And this woman continues to have a medical license and stick by “her man.” Scary.

MOO.

they refer to Parker as a boy - hopefully someone notifies them of this error

'... 2-year-old Parker Scholtes, who was found unresponsive after his father left him sleeping in a vehicle ...'

 

[LadyL]

I suspect that there was time when both F and SM were very emotional and the atmosphere was tense in the house, for whatever reason. Erica grew and matured. Not Chris.

Still sorry for her as the mother who lost her child. But her and the girls' lives are not going to be easy with Chris in jail. It can explain a lot.

Chris either hopes that something (a good lawyer? Money?) will pull him out of jail or he is in denial.

Lots of high-profile lawyers require the family to be actively supportive of the criminal. It is likely important for the outcome of the trial, how the family looks in the eyes of the jury. (Remembering the painting that Iris created, the innocent and two angels on his side.) So I think that sadly, the wife has little choice.

I almost asked who F and SM are but figured it out. However, who is Iris??

 

[LadyL]

Secondary victims, family of victim, always have a choice. It is quite apparent that Parker's maternal grandmother, Cynthia King, definitely thinks Chris Scholtes should be incarcerated.

2-year-old who died in hot car remembered at memorial one year later

Parker Scholtes died last year when she was left in a car on a day that was 109 degrees. Her grandmother had a memorial for her to remember her life.

www.kgun9.com

glad to see that ... now maybe she can have an influence on her daughter's choices
I remember in the video of him being arrested, the MIL seemed to be supportive of him

 

[nighttimesleuth]

https://dcs.az.gov/sites/default/files/StatementFatality/Statement-fatality-PS.pdf

The Arizona Department of Public Safety published this report on September 10, 2025. It lists a very long list of previous complaints made to DCS about abuse in the Scholtes household. One can deduce that these incidents were all likely involving his eldest daughter from a relationship before Erika. Really sickening to see it all laid out like this, along with the fact that absolutely nothing was done about this obvious pattern of behavior.

I also find it interesting that the DCS complaints often listed the “stepmother” as participating in the child’s neglect. And this woman continues to have a medical license and stick by “her man.” Scary.

MOO.

It is so sad to me that this CPS report couldn't even get Parker's gender correct - it all refers to Parker as a boy. It is a high profile case and just shows such a lack of care. How little are they putting into cases that aren't high profile? JMO

 

[nighttimesleuth]

Wow, after reading that report all I can say is I am so sad and angry for his oldest child and for Parker - both whom were victims that their stepmother/mother didn't protect and neither did CPS. It must have felt terrible for the older daughter to continually have her reports unsubstantiated. I know the mother is a "victim" but in this case, I think she is is a perpetrator. Clearly, my own opinion. But she is awful and so is he. They shouldn't be parents.

 

[MsMarple]

TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — In the first degree murder trial of Christopher Scholtes, the man who is charged with killing his two year old daughter by leaving her in a hot car, the defense attorney hinted at a rare and dangerous tactic: Scholtes may testify in his own defense
…
Scholtes’ defense attorney Marc Adair says he is developing information about other hot car deaths that may mitigate Scholtes’ situation. Adair says he has found only one other case of someone prosecuted for first degree murder when a child died in a hot car.
…
The defense attorney says he wants Scholtes to have a psychiatric exam after hearing family reports that Scholtes may have memory problems. He mentioned the psychiatrist he wants to use is an expert in cases of Guilty Except Insane, which under Arizona Law would confine someone to a psychiatric hospital instead of prison.

Dad in hot car death may testify in own defense

Christopher Scholtes, charged with killing his two year old daughter by leaving her in a hot car, the defense attorney hinted at a rare and dangerous tactic: Scholtes may testify in his own defense.

www.kgun9.com

Oh boy. More at the link. Wife and kids have been subpoenaed by the state, judge rejected motion by the defense for a continuance so trial is still scheduled for end of October.

Defense attorney still looking for a plea deal: Scholtes rejected a previous one for second degree murder.

Seems like the defense is all over the place. JMO

 

[Herat]

The defense sounds like spaghetti being thrown against the wall to see what sticks.