Plea Deal Considered in Hot Car Death Case

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 no agreement be reached. Scholtes was initially charged with second-degree murder, but the charges were upgraded after a grand jury indictment. Meanwhile, in Kalamazoo, Chad Martin has been arraigned for the death of his three-year-old son, who was left in a hot car in August; he faces a charge of leaving a child in a vehicle causing death. Martin, who has no prior criminal history, turned himself in and was released on a personal recognizance bond. Legal experts highlight that recent legislative changes have made it clear that leaving a child in a vehicle can result in serious charges, irrespective of intent.