TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – The Marana father who reached a plea deal in connection with his daughter’s hot car death, has died.
Our affiliate in Phoenix is reporting Phoenix Police are investigating the death of Christopher Scholtes as a suicide.
According to the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office, Christopher Scholtes died today, November 5.
On Wednesday, Oct. 22, Christopher Scholtes accepted a deal to plead guilty to second-degree murder and child abuse. The deal holds a sentence of no more than 30 years in prison for both counts.
He will be sentenced on Nov. 21, but was required to turn himself into custody by November 5.
Scholtes had been charged with first-degree murder and child abuse in connection with the death of his 2-year-old daughter, Parker, in July 2024.
Previous coverage is below:
Police have said Scholtes told officers he took Parker on some errands and then went home that day. She was asleep in her car seat, so he left her in the vehicle while he went inside.
When he went back outside, the car was off and his daughter was unconscious. She was transported to a Tucson hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Authorities have said Scholtes lied about how long his daughter was in the vehicle and claimed he got distracted while playing video games.
Scholtes allegedly also told investigators he knew the vehicle had a safety feature that would turn off the engine after 30 minutes. He said he knew from a previous experience.
According to the interim complaint, Scholtes’ other two children, ages 9 and 5, said their father had left all three children alone in the vehicle regularly and stated that “he got distracted by playing his game and putting his food away” when their sister was in the car.
This is a developing story and 13 News will update it as we get more information.
You can submit your breaking news or weather images here.
Copyright 2025 13 News. All rights reserved.
