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

[tlcya]

Christopher likes to live dangerously. If I were charged with murder I would want the best Ivy League, top 5% of their class, conservative boys club, good ol’ boy I could find - I’m not looking for a friend, I’m not looking for someone I can manipulate, I’m looking for someone who can keep me out of prison.

Or he was looking for someone he could later credibly claim provided him with ineffective counsel.

 

[Mauig’ma]

Or he was looking for someone he could later credibly claim provided him with ineffective counsel.

I can see that

 

[scapa]

That's how it should be, but look at all of the abusive parents mentioned on Websleuths who did get their children back. Just wanted to mention it, for all who wonder why E. stayed with him -- it's maybe one reason. To guarantee full-time access to her daughters.

On a side note, if she had not been there, coming home from work, asking about Parker, imagine how many more hours Parker would have stayed in that car.

Still, because of those text messages, I think if they were a different socioeconomic class, it's possible E. would be facing some kind of charges.

Almost certainly, IMO. We've seen too many cases here bearing that out.

I think also that there's some protection in being that "lost cause" person (CS) who is so long-term bewildering (and toxic) that people just throw their hands up and walk away rather than engage. I suspect he got away with a lot by being a victim himself -- an addict, a man-child, a "bad boy," scrounger, a bad parent -- we see it in the texts, and we saw it in the cringy (and worse) back-rubbing in the arrest video.

But she had duties of care to Parker and the other children first and foremost. He was no longer the youngest and neediest child in the family.

Except he was.

 

[abyquinn]

Or he was looking for someone he could later credibly claim provided him with ineffective counsel.

Good point. And if you aren’t going to listen as mentioned in the report that CS may testify in his own defense against his attorney’s advice, I guess it doesn’t matter how good or average your attorney is.

 

[sunspun]

Agree on the hitting on a nanny. And most unlikely he'd consent to rehab, especially since he was *still* getting away with excuses like "but they were *asleep* while I was speeding drunk". Ugh. He seems the type to just find another sucker-mommy type to keep him housed, fed, clothed, drunk, and with lots of toys for gaming and . Makes you wonder why she was so desperate, doesnt it? What was going on there?

I was going to say that they could have hired a male nanny, but actually, wouldn't surprise me if he would have hit on him too! But more likely, I think, if they'd hired a male nanny to avoid inappropriateness on his part, there would still be drama and problems, because I suspect Chris would resent the male nanny and the fact that they hired him because Chris couldn't do the job safely. He might have taken it out on anyone they hired, and there might have been a different death investigation, who knows. This man is just toxic in all ways.

 

[mickey2942]

Christopher likes to live dangerously. If I were charged with murder I would want the best Ivy League, top 5% of their class, conservative boys club, good ol’ boy I could find - I’m not looking for a friend, I’m not looking for someone I can manipulate, I’m looking for someone who can keep me out of prison.

I am thinking it is his "DUI" attorney he has on speed dial on his phone.

Nevertheless, it is not the choice I would choose for my defense in this case. That being said, there really isn't much for the defense to work with here.

Why did the judge rule that the jury cannot hear what websites and pages CS went to while his toddler daughter was strapped, and locked into a car in blazing sun? I think that it is relevant to the case.

BTW...the "groceries" CS carried into the house that day? It was a head of lettuce.

 

[steeltowngirl]

Almost certainly, IMO. We've seen too many cases here bearing that out.

I think also that there's some protection in being that "lost cause" person (CS) who is so long-term bewildering (and toxic) that people just throw their hands up and walk away rather than engage. I suspect he got away with a lot by being a victim himself -- an addict, a man-child, a "bad boy," scrounger, a bad parent -- we see it in the texts, and we saw it in the cringy (and worse) back-rubbing in the arrest video.

But she had duties of care to Parker and the other children first and foremost. He was no longer the youngest and neediest child in the family.

Except he was.

When it comes to the safety of children, I cannot get on board with throwing hands in the air and doing nothing. Walk away, yes - but, I'm taking the kids with me. ES had the financial means to battle for full custody in court. I get that it can be an uphill battle, but we do what we have to do.

100% JMO

 

[mickey2942]

As we get closer to the trial date, I am waiting for some drama here by CS...

Changing attorneys, needs to extend time on the trial.

 

[abyquinn]

Just watched Jessecordweber@lawcrimenetwork on Side Bar talk about this case with an attorney “Dad Was watching While…” I missed the attorney’s name but what I caught was interesting (much rehash to those of us following this case). They discussed allowing the jury to hear about Christopher’s search and said it was too prejudicial. The jury would hear ‘searching for ’ & not hear anything else. In a three+ hour window where he played games, looked at vacation sites, looked at clothes and played more games I don’t think a 2 minute search would influence my decision much at all. With or without a 2 minute search I still think he should be held responsible for Parker’s death and spend at least 25 years in prison for what he did.

There was a few minutes spent on their daughter’s (5 & 9 y.o) interview & how mom gets mad when dad does things she told him not to do, like drink too much beer and leave the girls alone in the car. I’d love to read the rest of her interview. I’m torn over her testifying in court. I’m worried she will feel responsible for sending her dad to prison.

If I heard right the text messages will be allowed. The attorney said the defense will claim these things were said in the heat of the moment and should be taken as such but all those other texts about DUI, exhibition of speed with kids in the car & trading coke for beer were written on ordinary days.

The attorney also said Christopher needs to take the stand, to try to make them see him as a grieving father, I guess. He played several minutes of Judge Ortiz I missed all of what she was saying. If anyone else has a few minutes to give a listen I’d love to read a recap. The Judge is in the last 10 minutes or so.

Edit to add girls ages to specify little girls not older daughter

 

[mickey2942]

CS is the most unlikeable defendant since Alex Murdaugh. If CS testifies, every instance he left Parker in the car, with the time, for that day will be brought up.

The information about the older daughter is sort of a toss up for me, because it could be considered "drama" in a child custody battle.

Right now, it is 78, the ten day does show higher temps next week. As a interesting closing, just have the AC turned off in the court room. Can they do that? Or is that just a tv drama? I have never seen it, but it would be effective. Nothing like no AC at 90°. And that is still 18 degrees cooler than that day.

 

[PJ Is Really tired]

Her father claimed that he left her in the car in the driveway, with the engine and a/c on, and when he came back about half an hour later, it had somehow turned itself off, and the car had overheated and she had died.

I have a really bad feeling about this one, and that this isn't what really happened. I realize we have to let authorities do their jobs.

2-year-old Arizona girl dies after dad leaves her in car during triple-digit heat: Police

A 2-year-old girl has died after her father left her in a hot car as triple-digit temperatures hit Arizona.

abcnews.go.com

Thread #1

oh my god, this is horrible, i hope that person goes to prison, i have also have a feeling it was on purpose. Maybe he was super annoyed by the daughter and figured it was a good day to murder her.

 

[abyquinn]

oh my god, this is horrible, i hope that person goes to prison, i have also have a feeling it was on purpose. Maybe he was super annoyed by the daughter and figured it was a good day to murder her.

Welcome to WebSleuths PJ. Yes, we all hope the same. I don’t personally think it was a deliberate murder but it was complete indifference to her & all their well being. With the Child Abuse charge from leaving her alone in the car which caused her death, something he had done many times - I hope the jury agrees Murder1 is appropriate.

 

[PJ Is Really tired]

oh, he did it multiple times!?! wow, that is a horrible human being

 

[Arkay]

CS is the most unlikeable defendant since Alex Murdaugh. If CS testifies, every instance he left Parker in the car, with the time, for that day will be brought up.

The information about the older daughter is sort of a toss up for me, because it could be considered "drama" in a child custody battle.

Right now, it is 78, the ten day does show higher temps next week. As a interesting closing, just have the AC turned off in the court room. Can they do that? Or is that just a tv drama? I have never seen it, but it would be effective. Nothing like no AC at 90°. And that is still 18 degrees cooler than that day.

It’s an interesting idea but I doubt they could do this in court. There may be jurors, attorneys, judge, bailiffs, spectators etc. who have health problems and would be adversely affected by turning off the AC.

Anyway, I imagine most people who live in Arizona are aware of how hot it can get.

As to the daughter testifying, I don’t know if Arizona has any law regarding it, but I think we’ve all heard of cases where a child testifies privately and the recording is played in court. Of course that would mean the child can’t be cross-examined, so I don’t know if that would fly here.

JMO

 

[mickey2942]

Hot car death: 2nd plea deal fails

It looks like a second attempt for a plea deal has fallen through in the case of a father charged with murder after his two year old daughter died after being left in a hot car.

www.kgun9.com

Well, looks like it will go to trial. CS declined a 2nd plea offer. I wonder what it was...

Interesting picture, CS cleans up quite well. Haircut, shave...wearing a suit. Looks like a completely different person.

 

[mickey2942]

Kimberly Ortiz

Ballotpedia: The Encyclopedia of American Politics

ballotpedia.org

People need to remember that Judge Ortiz let Christopher Scholtes go on vacation to Hawaii, after murder 1 charges were filed by a Grand Jury.

 

[MsMarple]

Hot car death: 2nd plea deal fails

It looks like a second attempt for a plea deal has fallen through in the case of a father charged with murder after his two year old daughter died after being left in a hot car.

www.kgun9.com

Well, looks like it will go to trial. CS declined a 2nd plea offer. I wonder what it was...

Interesting picture, CS cleans up quite well. Haircut, shave...wearing a suit. Looks like a completely different person.

Interesting, from your link:

Scholtes’ attorney made a fresh attempt for a plea deal, but a settlement conference with prosecutors this week did not lead to any sort of deal.
——
So was it Chris’ attorney and not the DA who was looking for a plea deal? It almost sounds like he has a stubborn client. I wonder, is it Chris or his attorney who’s hoping for a better deal than second degree (ie involuntary manslaughter or less) and is doctor E chiming in with her opinion?

In any case I suspect the DA is confident but of course a last minute deal could still be reached.
JMO

 

[mickey2942]

Interesting, from your link:

Scholtes’ attorney made a fresh attempt for a plea deal, but a settlement conference with prosecutors this week did not lead to any sort of deal.
——
So it was Chris’ attorney and not the DA who was looking for a plea deal. It almost sounds like he had a stubborn client. I wonder, is it Chris or his attorney who’s hoping for a better deal than second degree (ie involuntary manslaughter or less) and is doctor E chiming in with her opinion?

In any case I suspect the DA is confident but of course a last minute deal could still be reached.
JMO

I think this will be a landmark case for the DA. No more leaving kids in cars in Pima County.

I completely support that position. I think CS wants maybe, probation for a year. For a charge of Murder 1 that the Grand Jury came back with. It is significant to me that the DA did send this case to a Grand Jury, to "test the water" on charges, and they came back with a higher charge than CS was originally charged with...

I think CS wants something like no charges at all. Or maybe a misdemeanor child neglect or something minimal. Pay a fine.

It is obvious that the DA has zero desire to even address this. As evidenced by the first plea offer of 30 years in prison. CS has pushed some buttons somewhere. They are not budging on prison or charges.

I admit, he is not a sympathetic defendant. I am waiting for some sort of stall, change attorneys or other manipulation by CS. Hoping he won't be given a continuance.

 

[mickey2942]

Just bringing this forward. If this daughter testifies, it won't look good for CS.

N4T Investigators: Half-sister of 2 year old killed in hot car speaks out in exclusive interview

For the first time one of Christopher Scholtes' daughters is speaking publicly after the tragic death of his two year old daughter Parker earlier this month.

www.kvoa.com

Original police report

PRESS RELEASE - Child Death Investigation-Arrest

A.R.S 13-1104 Second Degree Murder and A.R.S 13-3623 Child or Vulnerable Adult Abuse Charges filed in Child Death Case.

www.maranaaz.gov

 

[mickey2942]

Since the wife had prior knowledge that he left the children in the car, did she as a physician have a duty to report? Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect - Arizona
Date: May 2023
Professionals Required to Report
Citation: Rev. Stat. § 13-3620

The following persons are required to report:

Physicians, physician's assistants, optometrists, dentists, osteopathic physicians, behavioral health professionals, nurses, psychologists, counselors, or social workers


Was Erika duty bound by her licensure in the State of Arizona as an anesthesiologist to report her spouse for child neglect that she was aware of?

AZBOM