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TUCSON, Ariz. (KOLD/Gray News) - A father of a 2-year-old girl who died after she was left in a hot car in Arizona has been arrested.

According to the Marana Police Department, 37-year-old Christopher Scholtes was taken into custody Friday morning and faces charges of second-degree murder and child abuse.

Scholtes made his initial court appearance later in the day. A not guilty plea was entered by the judge, and he was later released to pre-trial services.

The state asked for a $1 million bond, but the judge refused to set it that high.

Scholtes’ wife spoke during his appearance and said she wants him back home with their other children to begin the grieving process. She also said he is not a risk to the community.

Outside of a driving under the influence charge from 15 years ago, Scholtes does not have a criminal history.

Police said officers and the Northwest Fire District responded to a home in the 5100 block of West Paytons Court for a report of an unresponsive child who had been left in a vehicle on Tuesday.

Police said Scholtes told officers he arrived home from some errands, and the 2-year-old girl was still asleep in the vehicle in her car seat.

He left the vehicle on and running in the driveway, with the air conditioning on and the child inside.

The father told detectives he did not want to wake his daughter up, so she could continue sleeping in the vehicle while he went inside the home.

The girl’s mother was not home, but shortly after she arrived, the child was discovered in the vehicle, which was no longer running, and the air conditioning was off.

The vehicle has been identified as a 2023 Acura MDX. According to the owner’s manual, the car will shut off after 20 minutes if the door is opened, if the vehicle is in park and if the driver’s seatbelt is not buckled.

Police said they were called to the scene and the mother was performing CPR until they arrived.

First responders performed life-saving measures, but the child was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

Detectives were granted a search warrant that evening and shared the following details:

The child was found in a 2023 Acura MDX.
The 911 call was made at 4:15 p.m. and crews showed up at 4:22 p.m.
The girl had already been brought inside the home, into the kitchen, by her parents.
Despite life-saving efforts, the girl was pronounced dead at the hospital at 4:58 p.m.
The father said he left with his daughter earlier in the day and returned home between 2 and 2:45 p.m.
Surveillance video from a neighbor showed the vehicle returned home at 12:53 p.m. and did not leave again, disputing the dad’s claims
He claimed he left his daughter in the vehicle because she had fallen asleep in her car seat.
He claimed he checked on her once after getting home, and claimed the car was still running at that time.
The girl’s mother said she arrived home at 4:08 p.m., which was verified by that surveillance camera.
She asked where her daughter was and he said he checked the home and remembered she was in the vehicle.
The father’s cell phone was also seized.

Police said the child’s death is a stark reminder of the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles. The temperature inside a vehicle can rise rapidly, even on relatively mild days, leading to potentially fatal outcomes within minutes.

“We urge all parents and caregivers to remain vigilant and take every precaution to ensure the safety of their children. The Marana Police Department and our entire community feel this heartbreaking loss, and our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this tragic incident,” the department shared.