An Arizona man, Christopher Scholtes, 38, who admitted he killed his 2-year-old daughter by leaving her in a hot car, was found dead on November 5th. Police discovered Scholtes at a Phoenix home after receiving a call early in the morning.
Scholtes was supposed to turn himself in on the same day he was found, ahead of his sentencing. The cause of his death is being investigated, and an autopsy will be performed. Results aren’t expected until 2026.
Last month, Scholtes pleaded guilty to murder and child abuse. He left his daughter in a car where the temperature reached 109 degrees while he played video games inside his house.
His wife found the child in the car about three hours after Scholtes had returned from errands with her.
He had been facing 20 to 30 years in prison without the possibility of release. Before his death, Scholtes admitted to officers that he left his daughter in the car and forgot about her because he was distracted.
