Arizona girl, 2, left in car by father on 109-degree day and is found dead #2

[Charlot123]

You know what definitely has a detrimental effect on the brain and can impair cognition and memory? Alcohol abuse.

Some mix uppers and downers, as I have heard.

 

[ChatteringBirds]

The reason is, it is a memory issue, and unless there is a strong concern that kids were intentionally left in a car, you can’t punish people for weak memory, although such parents’ access to kids should probably be restricted.

CS is sort of a mid-range case.

I think it's not even worth comparing him to those parents who truly forgot. I think he's much worse than a mid-range case.

He left multiple daughters in cars on purpose. He continued with his younger daughters, despite seeing the risk it caused his oldest daughter.
He continued although his wife reminded him of the dangers and told him not to. He never reached a point where he decided he'd never do it again.

 

[snarast]

Studies of “forgotten baby syndrome” are underway.

Forgotten baby syndrome - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

It seems (and it is slightly mentioned in Wikipedia, too), that for the most parents it is less of a guilt and more own misfortune. Something about a specific brain wiring leading to relative weakness of prefrontal and frontal cortex. As of 2019, 43 percent of caregivers who unintentionally left children in hot cars did not face charges, and 11 percent were charged but not convicted. Is leaving a child to die in a hot car a memory lapse or a crime?
The reason is, it is a memory issue, and unless there is a strong concern that kids were intentionally left in a car, you can’t punish people for weak memory, although such parents’ access to kids should probably be restricted.

CS is sort of a mid-range case. He does rely on a car as a nanny, but I also wonder if he is, essentially, a born loser who managed to marry a much smarter, more independent woman, and the only way to prove his meaning in the world is by putting on a show of being a good father. In other words, is his just an alcoholic, or is it all - lying, drinking - meant to cover up hopeless weakness of his attic?

So, I have a feeling that he truly has brain wiring problem, but possibly a personality disorder, the punishment will be mid-range. He will not be jailed, but will have to jump through way more hoops than most of these parents. Of course, there will be a huge loss for both spouses because any community will be harsh on them.

His brain wiring problem is evident. He has all the hallmarks of an addict. And personality disorders of a very unpleasant type.

The point is - he didn’t mean to but cannot and I certainly hope shall not - be overseeing children under the age of 12.

It doesn’t matter what therapy he is exposed to - you can see in those clips how he can seem like a normal dude the entire time - yet he just let his daughter bake to death.


How would others be able to assess his competence? The therapist will think him cured in no time, never mind MDs - well that has been proven given that his wife is one and she was clearly duped.

No, his condition is - from a pragmatic perspective - permanent.

IMHO

 

[airportwoman]

This guy can't even take care of himself IMNSHO.

 

[snarast]

That video clip when the mom, an MD, said ”She is dead. I need to be with her.” - heartbreaking.

I hope she can free herself from this man in order to live a safe life with the children.

Why does she think she has to settle for this? She is beautiful, intelligent and apparently even kind - a catch for anyone.

IMHO obviously

 

[nao]

Moo....omg where's the hate. The mother cares more for, and protects the man before the children

 

[ChatteringBirds]

Moo....omg where's the hate. The mother cares more for, and protects the man before the children

She may have some beliefs about commitment and marriage, working things out "for better or worse," that she just can't let go of yet.

Well intentioned, in a way, but unable to grasp what outsiders can see.

It only adds to the pain, but many victims of an abuser are going through this.
Being educated doesn't make one immune from these complex psychological situations.

 

[snarast]

She may have some beliefs about commitment and marriage, working things out "for better or worse," that she just can't let go of yet.

Well intentioned, in a way, but unable to grasp what outsiders can see.

It only adds to the pain, but many victims of an abuser are going through this.
Being educated doesn't make one immune from these complex psychological situations.

spot on. I can see how it can happen. It seems she is committed and loyal to a fault - once upon a time I did something similar - but the only person hurt was moi, thankfully. Ain’t gonna happen again.

IMO

 

[mickey2942]

The message this will send if he does not get a day in jail, is very chilling.

I don't think that caregivers who leave children to die in a hot car should get a pass, ever. Not any "forgot" justification. There really should be mandatory sentences for this, because the sentences are all over the map.

I have noticed women are usually judged more harshly than men. And women of color, are especially judged more harshly. I could add the links, but it is off topic.

This guy didn't have a job, or anything else, except to watch the kids for his wife. He deserves jail. Not some sweetheart deal, because his wife paid for the most expensive attorney.

 

[tlcya]

I can't find any updates. I pray he doesn't plea out with no significant jail time

 

[mickey2942]

I can't find any updates. I pray he doesn't plea out with no significant jail time

I wonder about that, especially given his history, theft, substance abuse, reckless driving, leaving his children unattended, and the grand jury changed the charges to first degree murder. That is pretty serious.

I can see him attending some sort of substance abuse program, but I don't see him as being very sincere about treatment. I didn't find anything either, which means, no plea deal yet. I am honestly surprised he was even let out of jail on bond with a first degree murder charge. I guess that the court doesn't see him leaving his wife...who appears to have been supporting her husband during this tragedy.

Plea Deal Considered in Hot Car Death Case - Perigon

Christopher Scholtes, a Marana man, is facing charges of first-degree murder after leaving his two-year-old daughter, Parker, in a hot car for at least three hours, leading to her death. Prosecutors are currently finalizing a plea agreement, with a trial date set for September 15, 2025, should...

www.perigon.io

 

[snarast]

I wonder about that, especially given his history, theft, substance abuse, reckless driving, leaving his children unattended, and the grand jury changed the charges to first degree murder. That is pretty serious.

I can see him attending some sort of substance abuse program, but I don't see him as being very sincere about treatment. I didn't find anything either, which means, no plea deal yet. I am honestly surprised he was even let out of jail on bond with a first degree murder charge. I guess that the court doesn't see him leaving his wife...who appears to have been supporting her husband during this tragedy.

Plea Deal Considered in Hot Car Death Case - Perigon

Christopher Scholtes, a Marana man, is facing charges of first-degree murder after leaving his two-year-old daughter, Parker, in a hot car for at least three hours, leading to her death. Prosecutors are currently finalizing a plea agreement, with a trial date set for September 15, 2025, should...

www.perigon.io

The way I see it - safety first. He is not 18, the fact that he has managed his life with his family- mostly by luck - shows how hard it would be for others to gage his lowest possible state pf consciousness. And it is at that point this man is lethal for those who depend upon his sanity for their survival.

IMHO

 

[ChatteringBirds]

My understanding about that level of alcoholism is that it's very difficult to overcome. This man might want to finally overcome it, but will he? He probably won't leave a child in a car again (hope I'm right). But fact is, at some point, he will be allowed to drive again. JMO.

 

[tlcya]

I wish we would get some sort of update on the status of this case. Has a plea deal been offered? Has he accepted it? Was a deadline to accept or refuse the agreement been set? If so, what/when is it?

 

[MsMarple]

Right now he’s scheduled to be back in court on January 27. I guess we’ll hear more as that date approaches.

IMO he deserves a long stint in prison, especially since he hasn’t shown any remorse. Both parents made it all about Chris, not their dead daughter. There are still two living children in that home who need to be protected from their abusive dad and ineffective mom.
JMO

Marana man who allegedly played video games as daughter died may get plea deal

Chris Scholtes is facing charges of first-degree murder and child abuse in the August 2024 death of his 2-year-old daughter.

www.kold.com

 

[BrownRice]

Right now he’s scheduled to be back in court on January 27. I guess we’ll hear more as that date approaches.

IMO he deserves a long stint in prison, especially since he hasn’t shown any remorse. Both parents made it all about Chris, not their dead daughter. There are still two living children in that home who need to be protected from their abusive dad and ineffective mom.
JMO

Marana man who allegedly played video games as daughter died may get plea deal

Chris Scholtes is facing charges of first-degree murder and child abuse in the August 2024 death of his 2-year-old daughter.

www.kold.com

I know every case / state is different, but I don’t understand how he could get out of serving any prison time for his toddler’s death (murder), especially compared to other cases. I watched the Rhonda Jewel case recently and she was a hired babysitter of multiple kids and forgot one in the car. Horribly sad, but an accident imo. She got 17 yr sentence! This loser of a father intentionally left his kid in the car after shoplifting beer so he could play video games like a teenager.