A heartbreaking case in Marana, Arizona reached a tragic conclusion more than a year after the loss of two-year-old Parker Scholtes. The child’s father, Christopher Scholtes, who had been charged in connection with her death after she was left in a vehicle on a hot day in 2024, was found deceased shortly before his scheduled court appearance in November 2025.

Authorities had previously reported that the young girl was left in a parked car for several hours during extreme temperatures. Despite emergency efforts, she did not survive. Christopher initially denied wrongdoing but later accepted a plea deal for second-degree murder.

Pima County Attorney Laura Conover confirmed his passing, expressing condolences for the family, especially Parker’s siblings, who now mourn both their sister and father. In the months leading up to the trial, new details about prior concerns and family struggles had surfaced, including a related civil lawsuit filed by one of his older children.

Officials emphasized their commitment to honoring Parker’s memory and supporting her surviving loved ones as they navigate continued healing.