From the moment investigators realized Christopher Scholtes hadn’t shown up for his mandatory surrender, something felt wrong.
The courtroom murmurs, the unanswered phone calls, the eerie silence at his home—all signaled that the tragic story of his daughter’s death was far from over. What authorities discovered just hours later would cast an even darker shadow over an already heartbreaking case.
Father Who Neglected Toddler Dies by Suicide
Christopher Scholtes, 38, a father accused of leaving his two-year-old daughter, Parker, to die in a hot vehicle while he remained inside watching pornography and playing video games, was found dead early Wednesday morning at his Phoenix home. The Maricopa County Medical Examiner has not yet released the official cause of death, though family sources confirmed it was suicide. Scholtes’ death occurred just hours before he was scheduled to report to prison after accepting a plea deal for second-degree murder and child abuse, facing 20 to 30 years behind bars with no chance of parole.
The tragedy began in July 2024. Scholtes returned to his Marana, Arizona, home with Parker asleep in the back of their Acura SUV. Instead of bringing her inside, he left her in the vehicle while he went into the house, opened a beer, and spent more than three hours watching explicit videos and playing video games. At some point, the vehicle shut off, and the temperature inside climbed above 108°F. Parker never woke up.
Family and History of Neglect
Parker’s mother, 37-year-old anesthesiologist Erika Scholtes, was at work during the incident—the same hospital where paramedics rushed her dying child. Text messages recovered from the couple’s devices revealed repeated warnings from Erika:
“I told you to stop leaving them in the car. How many times have I told you?”
Scholtes responded:
“Babe, I’m sorry. How could I do this? I killed our baby. This can’t be real.”
Their older daughters, ages nine and five, told deputies that Scholtes had a history of leaving them in cars unattended, often while distracted by video games or household tasks. One daughter stated:
“He still drinks too much beer, and he keeps leaving us in the car when my mom told him to stop. That’s how he made my baby sister die.”
Security footage also revealed that on the day Parker died, Scholtes stole beer from two stores and consumed some while driving home. He initially lied to investigators about his arrival time, claiming 2:30 p.m., though surveillance confirmed he returned home at 12:53 p.m.
Ongoing Family Trauma
Despite appearing financially stable—Erika had purchased a $1 million home earlier that year—the family had a long history of turmoil. Text messages detailed repeated arguments over his drinking, reckless driving, and neglect. Scholtes himself admitted he was “a piece of shit addict” who needed help.
His oldest daughter, 17, from a previous relationship, recently filed a lawsuit alleging assault, battery, emotional abuse, and fraud. She had previously reported years of physical abuse, and after her mother passed away, she now lives with a guardian.
Family accounts indicate that Scholtes had a pattern of leaving children in hot vehicles, sometimes long enough for the air conditioning to fail. Sadly, Parker never had the chance to survive such neglect.
Conclusion
What was meant to close the chapter on Parker’s death instead ended with another devastating loss—Christopher Scholtes’ own life. His death may conclude the courtroom proceedings, but it leaves a family reeling from grief, trauma, and unanswered questions. This case is a stark reminder of how neglect, addiction, and denial can destroy not just one life but an entire family’s future.
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of self-harm, contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.