Parents Arrested After Children Die in Hot Cars During Heatwaves

Two separate incidents in Arizona and Nebraska highlight the deadly risks of leaving children unattended in vehicles.

Christopher Scholtes, 37, faces second-degree murder charges after his 2-year-old daughter died in a hot car in Marana, Arizona.
Juanita Pinon, 40, was charged with child abuse by neglect resulting in death after her 5-year-old foster son was left in a car for seven hours in Omaha, Nebraska.
Both incidents occurred during extreme heat, with temperatures reaching 109 degrees in Arizona and 89 degrees in Nebraska.
Authorities emphasize the rapid rise in temperatures inside vehicles, even on relatively mild days, making them fatal within minutes.
Safety advocates call for increased vigilance and potential regulatory measures to prevent future tragedies.