Overview
- Christopher Scholtes, 38, was found dead early Wednesday in a Phoenix home after officers responded at 5:22 a.m., authorities said.
- He had pleaded guilty last month to second-degree murder and intentional child abuse and faced a 20–30 year prison term under the deal.
- He missed a Pima County hearing earlier Wednesday and was expected to turn himself in ahead of a Nov. 21 sentencing date.
- Records and video from July 9, 2024, indicated his 2-year-old daughter, Parker, was left in a car for about three hours as temperatures reached about 109°F; an autopsy recorded a body temperature of 108.9°F.
- Investigators cited prior instances of children being left in vehicles based on statements from his older children and texts from their mother, while the medical examiner said a report on Scholtes’ death is expected in about 90 days.