Bodycam footage reveals the moment Christopher Scholtes collapses and asks a harrowing question as police apprehend him over the death of his daughter.
Two-year-old Parker Scholtes tragically passed away on July 9 after being left in a hot car by her father at their residence in Arizona, US.
It is believed that the toddler may have been inside the vehicle for up to three hours when temperatures soared to 109°F on that day.
According to reports, the father of three was inside playing on his PlayStation while Parker remained in the car.
He left her there because she was asleep when they returned home from shopping, and Christopher “didn’t want to wake her.”
Following an investigation into Parker’s tragic death, Christopher was arrested and initially charged with second-degree murder.
Recently, however, the charge has been elevated to first-degree murder, to which the 37-year-old has pleaded not guilty.
In recent days, bodycam footage capturing the moment of Christopher’s arrest has been released.
In the distressing footage, the grieving father falls to his knees and repeatedly says “no” as one of the officers explains the situation.
Eventually, officers help Christopher to his feet, with one of them saying: “The reason that I’m here and meeting you in person is because I don’t want this to be anything more than it needs to be.”
“I don’t want the kids to see dad get hauled off,” the officer added.
Overcome with emotion, Christopher then asks: “Am I going to be there for my baby’s funeral?”
The officer responds that the answer to this “is between [Christopher] and the court.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSBRvcaZuiE
Christopher’s wife, Erika Scholtes, is also present, and before he is taken away by police, she tells him that she loves him and gives him a kiss.
“Chris, I’m going to be here and I’ll take care of everything,” she reassures her husband.
Christopher appeared in Pima County Superior Court on Thursday (August 8), where he pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder.
A few days earlier, a grand jury had indicted him and elevated his charges to first-degree murder.
Part of the indictment reads, according to KGUN 9: “On or about July 9, 2024, Christopher Scholtes, under circumstances likely to produce death or serious physical injury, committed child abuse by intentionally or knowingly causing [redacted], a minor under fifteen, to suffer physical injury…by leaving [redacted] unattended in the vehicle.”