Father Arrested for Leaving Toddler in Hot Car During Night Out

Ormond Beach, Florida, USA - In a tragic incident that has rocked the community of Ormond Beach, Florida, police have arrested 33-year-old Scott Allen Gardner, charging him with aggravated manslaughter of a child and child neglect causing great bodily harm. The charges stem from the shocking loss of his 18-month-old son, Sebastian, who was left unattended in a hot truck for over three hours on June 6. At the time, Gardner was reportedly getting a haircut and then chose to go drinking at Hanky Panky’s Lounge, completely unaware—or perhaps uncaring—of the dangers posed to his child in the sweltering heat.

According to law enforcement, medical personnel determined that Sebastian’s body temperature had soared to an alarming 111 degrees by the time help arrived. The arrest took place at Gardner’s mother’s home, and it appears to follow a lengthy investigation during which Gardner provided multiple false accounts to police about the events leading up to the tragic incident. The investigation is ongoing, with police promising that more details will be made available as they come to light. ABC7 reports that further inquiry will delve into how a parent could leave a child in such precarious circumstances.

Understanding the Dangers

What happened with Sebastian is part of a troubling pattern that has emerged across the United States. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates over 700 children have died from vehicular heatstroke since 1998. Even more disturbing, KidsAndCars.org estimates these fatalities could reach around 800. For Florida, a state that consistently ranks among the highest for such tragedies, this situation should serve as an urgent reminder of the pressing dangers present when children are left in vehicles.

High temperatures can create deadly conditions inside vehicles. For instance, when the outside temperature hits 100 degrees, it takes only five minutes for the interior of a car to exceed 138 degrees, and in just 15 minutes, that can reach a staggering 150 degrees. Victims are often infants and toddlers, overwhelmingly unable to free themselves from their car seats—making them particularly vulnerable to heat-related illnesses and deaths. The average number of hot car deaths for children in the U.S. stands at 37 per year, with the deadliest year recorded seeing 49 deaths in 2010. USA Today emphasizes the alarming frequency of these tragedies, highlighting that one child dies from heatstroke nearly every 10 days on average.

Prevention is Key

Preventive measures are critical. Experts recommend strategies such as always checking the back seat before exiting a vehicle and employing technology that can alert drivers if a child remains unaccounted for. Recent advocacy efforts have championed legislation like the Hot Cars Act of 2017, which would require new vehicles to have systems that remind drivers to check for passengers in the rear seats when exiting the car. The slogan “Look Before You Lock” has become a rallying cry for advocates trying to prevent these unnecessary tragedies. The team at the National Weather Service underscores that these deaths are entirely preventable and shares resources and information aimed at raising awareness about the hazards of leaving children in hot vehicles.

As the community grapples with the heartbreaking implications of Sebastian’s death, it is essential that we address the systemic issues surrounding vehicular heatstroke deaths. These tragedies, which overwhelmingly involve children under the age of two, often occur in the summer months, but can happen any time of year. Gardner’s alleged neglect is a grim reminder of the importance of vigilance and responsibility regarding child safety.

In the coming days and weeks, as the investigation into this case unfolds, it is vital that we all reflect on our own practices and habits to ensure such a loss does not become a reality in our own families. With increased awareness and community advocacy, there’s truly “something to be said for it” when the collective effort may just save a life. After all, every child deserves to be safe.