TUCSON, Ariz. (Scripps News Tucson/Court TV) — Christopher Scholtes appeared in court on Wednesday to change his plea to guilty in the hot car death of his 2-year-old daughter.
Christopher Scholtes appears in court Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (Court TV)
Scholtes pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree murder and one count of intentional/knowing child abuse under circumstances likely to cause death or serious physical injury in the 2024 death of his daughter, Parker, who investigators said spent almost three and a half hours strapped in a car seat.
In a statement, the Pima County Prosecutor’s Office said under the terms of the plea agreement, Scholtes faces consecutive sentences that mean he will be behind bars for 20-30 years. A judge will sentence him on Nov. 21.
As part of the agreement, Scholtes will remain out of custody until Nov. 5, when the court will determine when he will be taken into custody.
The case began in May 2023, when Marana Police responded to Scholtes’ home after reports of an unresponsive child. Investigators say Scholtes’ 2-year-old daughter died after being left in a parked car for several hours in extreme heat.
The following month, in June 2023, Scholtes was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and child abuse.
By July 2023, Scholtes had pleaded not guilty to all charges, with prosecutors signaling their intent to pursue the most severe penalties available.
Months later, in March 2024, he rejected an initial plea offer, which would have carried a sentence between 10 and 24 years, with Scholtes opting to face trial instead.
