We finally know how the thoughtless dad who let his daughter die through stupidity and laziness ended his life

The official ruling is in on the death of Christopher Scholtes, the Arizona man who pleaded guilty to murdering his 2-year-old daughter. A Medical Examiner stated that Scholtes took his own life using carbon monoxide, making official what authorities already suspected.

Scholtes used the odorless gas hours before he was scheduled to turn himself in to the authorities. He was required to surrender ahead of his sentencing for the death of his daughter, Parker. It’s hard to imagine the state of mind he must have been in, knowing he was facing decades in prison and choosing this route instead.

This father decided that he wouldn’t serve a day in jail for the death of his daughter

You have to remember the appalling details of the crime that led Scholtes to this point. The tragedy took place back in July 2024 in Marana, which is a suburb of Tucson. Scholtes left his baby daughter, Parker, asleep in his car. Instead of checking on her, he went inside his house.

Reports from the time indicated that Scholtes’ activities inside included watching porn and playing video games. Meanwhile, Parker was left alone in the vehicle for three grueling hours. The heat that day was absolutely sweltering, hitting a shocking 109 degrees. Sadly, Parker ended up in a hospital where she was pronounced dead, according to information from the Pima County Attorney’s Office.

The video of him being arrested is below. Keep in mind that it is infuriating how he pretends he had nothing to do with her death, even when his wife asked him to stop putting his daughters in danger.

In October 2025, he pleaded guilty to Parker’s murder and child abuse. He entered into a plea agreement that required him to serve up to 30 years in prison. His sentencing was officially scheduled for November 21, and he was supposed to surrender to authorities on the very day he died by suicide.

This whole situation is devastating for everyone involved. We also know that before his death, Scholtes faced legal action from his surviving family. His other daughter, who is 18, filed a lawsuit against him for emotional distress. It’s clear that the damage caused by his actions extended far beyond the initial, unspeakable crime.

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please seek help. You can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or visit their website for support and resources.