A DAD has been arrested after his helpless 18-month-old son died from being locked in a blazing hot car for three excruciating hours.
Scott Allen Gardner, 33, got a haircut and went drinking at a bar while his little boy’s temperature rose to a brutal 111 degrees, police said.
An 18-month-old 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 died after being locked in a blazing hot car for three hours, cops saidCredit: Facebook
Scott Allen Gardner, 33, is accused of getting a haircut and going to a bar while his son diedCredit: Volusia Sheriff’s Office
Gardner’s mom shared dozens of pictures of the two having fun togetherCredit: Facebook
The Volusia Sheriff’s Office shared a video of his arrest on FacebookCredit: Volusia Sheriff’s Office
The dad stands accused of ditching his son in the middle of the afternoon on June 6, when temperatures in Ormond Beach, Florida, north of Orlando, soared to 92 degrees.
After finally leaving Hanky Panky’s Lounge, Gardner went on to wait hours before finally calling the police and reporting the death, the Volusia Sheriff’s Department said.
When detectives interviewed the dad, he allegedly lied multiple times about what had happened.
Two weeks after his son’s death, Gardner was arrested at his mother’s home, video released by the sheriff’s department reveals.
He was sitting on the front porch when cops barged in, and he appeared to be arrested without any protest.
Gardner was cuffed by the same Ormond Beach police officer who desperately tried to save his son’s life.
While Gardner was being led out, someone could be heard saying, “Scotty I love you,” and he said, “Love you guys” back.
“Say goodbye because you’re not gonna come back here again,” responded one of the arresting officers.
Gardner’s mom mourned the loss of the 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 on Facebook and shared several pictures of the dad holding his son.
“This is a challenging time for me and my family, but together we will find strength,” wrote his grandmother on Facebook.
She also shared a fundraiser where friends and family gave money and shared their condolences.
Gardner has been charged with aggravated manslaughter of a 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 and 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 neglect, causing great bodily harm.
Officials said they would release more information about his arrest on Friday.
The little boy’s dad allegedly waited hours before he called the policeCredit: Facebook
Someone was heard saying ‘love you Scotty’ as the dad was arrestedCredit: Volusia Sheriff’s OfficePARENTS WARNED
Safety experts have urged parents not to lock their 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren in a car, even on cloudy days that don’t seem hot.
Children’s temperatures rise three to five times faster than adults, so being trapped in a warm environment can turn dangerous very quickly, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
When a 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥’s body temperature reaches about 104 degrees, heatstroke can happen.
Once the temperature reaches 107 degrees, the 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 can die.
In 2024, a devastating 39 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren died of heatstroke while trapped in vehicles. That number was up 35% from 2023.
Parents should know that rolling down windows or parking in the shade does little to prevent potentially fatal heat from getting trapped inside a car.
Kids should never be left for any period of time, and parents should make it a habit to check their entire vehicle before leaving.
Around 50% of deaths take place after parents forget that a sleeping kid was in the backseat.
The arrest comes after a dad trapped his daughter in a 109-degree car so he could go inside their home and play PlayStation.
He claimed that the car was running with the air conditioning but it abruptly shut off while he was gone.
And a father was devastated when an elderly family member forgot to take his twin toddlers out of a car in the summer.
