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A Marana father pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and child abuse in the hot car death of his 2-year-old daughter.
Christopher Scholtes accepted a plea deal that carries a sentence of 20 to 30 years in prison.
The child was found by her mother three hours later, with internal vehicle temperatures having reached over 108 degrees.
The father charged in suspicion of murder in his toddler's 2024 hot car death has taken a plea deal with Pima County prosecutors that includes a higher sentencing than in a previous plea offer.
Christopher Scholtes, 38, pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree murder and one count of intentional child abuse likely to cause death or serious physical injury in the July 9, 2024 death of his 2-year-old daughter , according to the P