Florida Father Arrested After Son Dies in Hot Car
A Florida father has been arrested following the tragic death of his young son, who was left in a hot car for hours. The incident occurred while the father was reportedly at a bar, and officials did not mince words in condemning his actions.
Scott Allen Gardner, 33, is accused of leaving his 18-month-old son, Sebastian, locked in a truck while he spent time at a lounge in Ormond Beach on June 6. According to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, Gardner had just gotten a haircut before heading to Hanky Panky’s bar, where he ordered drinks.
Sheriff Mike Chitwood was particularly outspoken during a press conference, calling Gardner “human garbage” and expressing outrage over his neglect.
Gardner had parked his truck around 11:30 a.m. and made his way to the bar by noon, where he consumed at least two beers and a shot of whiskey. Witnesses reported that Gardner appeared indifferent, even as he visited the bar multiple times before the tragedy.
At one point, Gardner exited to check on a car accident outside, yet he failed to check on his son, a fact that bewildered Sheriff Chitwood, who questioned how a parent could neglect their child in such a manner.
After drinking for some time, Gardner returned home only to discover that Sebastian was not breathing. A 911 call recording shows Gardner reporting the emergency but cutting off dispatchers when he sought assistance from his mother.
Emergency responders found Sebastian unresponsive, and it appeared he had been in the vehicle for more than three hours in temperatures reaching 92 degrees outside. Medical personnel later recorded his internal temperature at over 107 degrees.
The sheriff indicated that authorities believe Sebastian may have died at least two hours prior to the 911 call. Gardner, attempting to justify his actions, claimed he had left a small fan running and had cracked a window to provide ventilation, but investigators disputed this, noting that the interior of the vehicle would have reached fatal temperatures regardless.
Following the incident, Gardner returned to the bar with his mother and remained there until midnight, which further perplexed law enforcement. While they do not believe his mother was aware of his actions, Gardner was arrested two weeks later at her home.
Charged with aggravated manslaughter and child neglect, Gardner is currently being held without bail. Sheriff Chitwood expressed his disbelief at the severity of Gardner’s neglect, stating that no punishment could adequately fit the crime.
In closing, Chitwood expressed a hope that Gardner faces the consequences of his actions, emphasizing that Sebastian’s death was wholly preventable.
