Details in Christopher Scholtes’ death revealed in ME report
Christopher Scholtes died by suicide on the day he was supposed to be taken into custody after pleading guilty in his daughter's death. More
December 17, 2025
Christopher Scholtes
Christopher Scholtes pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and child abuse in the hot car death of his 2-year-old daughter. He died on Nov. 5, two weeks before his scheduled sentencing.
Defendants who avoided trial with a plea in 2025
Not all cases head to trial: Bryan Kohberger, Stephan Sterns and other high-profile defendants opted to avoid a jury and plead guilty. More
December 13, 2025
Christopher Scholtes, convicted in daughter’s hot car death, dies
Following his guilty plea last month, Christopher Scholtes was set to be taken into custody today for the death of his daughter. More
November 5, 2025
Ariz. father pleads guilty to murder in daughter’s hot car death
Christopher Scholtes pleaded guilty in the 2024 death of his daughter, who investigators said spent almost 3.5 hours strapped in a car seat. More
October 22, 2025
Judge: Prosecutors can’t tell jury Christopher Scholtes watched pornography
A judge says the jury will not hear that Christopher Scholtes was watching pornography at home when his daughter died in a hot car. More
October 15, 2025
Dad accused in hot car death had history of abuse complaints
Records from the AZ Dept. of Child Safety show a history of child abuse complaints against Christopher Scholtes. More
September 21, 2025
AZ father charged in daughter’s hot car death wants new plea deal
Christopher Scholtes's defense attorney told the court they want to try for a new plea deal. Prosecutors said, 'The plea is not changing.' More
August 18, 2025
Father charged in the hot car death of his daughter rejects plea deal
Christophe Scholtes now faces life in prison without parole if convicted of first-degree murder in the hot car death of his daughter. More
March 31, 2025
Trial date set, plea offer in works for dad charged in hot car death
A judge has set a trial date for Christopher Scholtes, accused in the hot car death of his 2-year-daughter. More
November 21, 2024
Arizona father charged in 2-year-old’s hot car death pleads not guilty
The family's other children, aged five and nine, told police Christopher Scholtes often left all of the children in the car. More
August 12, 2024
Arizona father indicted in hot car death of 2-year-old daughter
Christopher Scholtes was formally indicted after his 2-year-old daughter died after being left in a car for hours. More
August 5, 2024
Arizona father charged with murder after daughter dies in hot car
Christopher Scholtes is charged with second degree murder in his daughter's death. Her mother, a doctor, found the child. More
July 15, 2024