MARANA, ARIZONA — In a heartbreaking and deeply disturbing case that has gripped southern Arizona for more than a year, 37-year-old Christopher Scholtes of Marana has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder with a domestic violence enhancement and child abuse in the tragic death of his two-year-old daughter, Parker Scholtes.
The plea deal, accepted Wednesday morning in Pima County Superior Court, allows Scholtes to avoid a first-degree murder trial and instead serve a minimum of 20 years and a maximum of 30 years in state prison.
Under the agreement, Scholtes will remain out of custody for two more weeks before reporting to begin his sentence later this month.
The Pima County Attorney’s Office issued a statement following the plea, saying the resolution “provides justice for Parker and closure for the community.” The office praised the extensive collaboration between prosecutors, victim advocates, and law enforcement in handling what they described as “a complicated and high-profile case.”
“This is yet another reminder that we will do everything possible to seek justice for victims, particularly those who are most vulnerable,” the statement read.
A Tragic Day in Marana
The case stems from the devastating events of July 2024, when little Parker Scholtes, just two years old, died after being left inside her father’s vehicle during scorching Arizona summer heat.
According to investigators, Christopher Scholtes returned home from running errands with Parker asleep in her car seat. Rather than bringing her inside, Scholtes decided to leave her in the vehicle — choosing instead to go inside the house, drink beer, play video games, and watch pornography.
Initially, Scholtes told police that he had left the car running with the air conditioning on but “lost track of time.” However, investigators later determined the vehicle’s engine had shut off, and the air conditioning was not running. Parker remained trapped inside the vehicle for approximately three hours, as interior temperatures climbed as high as 190 degrees Fahrenheit.
By the time Scholtes’ wife, Dr. Erika Scholtes, an anesthesiologist, returned home from a hospital shift, the situation had become a nightmare. She found Parker unresponsive inside the family’s Acura SUV. Despite her desperate efforts to perform CPR and the arrival of emergency responders, the child could not be revived. Parker was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Troubling History and Legal Proceedings
Investigators later discovered through interviews and court records that Scholtes had a history of leaving his three children unattended in vehicles for extended periods — raising serious concerns about ongoing neglect and endangerment.
Even so, throughout the legal process, Dr. Erika Scholtes remained supportive of her husband, calling the incident a “tragic mistake” rather than a deliberate act. Following his arrest, Scholtes was released on bail pending trial.
In a controversial decision that drew public outrage, Judge Kimberly Ortiz approved a defense request in April 2025 allowing Scholtes to travel to Maui, Hawaii, from May 1 to May 9 for a family vacation with his wife and surviving daughters — despite strong objections from prosecutors who argued it was inappropriate given the severity of the charges.
Plea Agreement and Sentencing
By accepting the plea deal, Scholtes avoided the possibility of a first-degree murder conviction, which could have carried a life sentence. The plea ensures that he will spend at least two decades in prison before becoming eligible for release.
A formal sentencing hearing is scheduled later this month, when Scholtes will officially return to custody to begin serving his prison term.
The death of Parker Scholtes has left the Marana and Tucson communities heartbroken — a sobering reminder of how quickly negligence can turn fatal, and how fragile life can be.
As the community continues to mourn the loss of a bright, innocent little girl, local officials hope that this case serves as both justice for Parker and a warning about the deadly consequences of leaving children unattended in vehicles, especially under Arizona’s extreme heat.
“Parker’s life was precious,” one community member said. “Her story should never have been written this way — but may it save others in the future.”
