TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - The Marana father charged in his daughter’s hot car death has agreed to a plea deal.

On Wednesday, Oct. 22, Christopher Scholtes accepted a deal to plead guilty to second-degree murder and child abuse. The deal holds a sentence of no more than 30 years in prison for both counts.

He will be sentenced on Nov. 21.

He had been charged with first-degree murder and child abuse in connection with the death of his 2-year-old daughter, Parker, in July 2024.

Scholtes has admitted to leaving his sleeping daughter in a vehicle in his driveway with the air conditioner on. According to investigators, it was 109 degrees that day. He also admitted to knowing the vehicle had a shutoff feature, and his other children said he had left them alone in the vehicle before.

After the

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