A Florida man left his toddler to die in a hot car for three hours while he got drunk

Every parent knows the unspoken rule about never leaving children alone in vehicles.

But one Florida father broke that rule in the most tragic way possible.

And a Florida man left his toddler to die in a hot car for three hours while he got drunk.

Father arrested two weeks after child’s death

The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office arrested 33-year-old Scott Gardner on Thursday in connection with the death of his toddler son Sebastian.

Gardner faces charges of aggravated manslaughter of a child and child neglect causing great bodily harm.

The tragedy occurred on June 6 when Gardner left his 18-month-old son Sebastian locked inside his truck for more than three hours while temperatures outside reached 92 degrees.

Medical personnel estimated that the child’s body temperature reached a deadly 111 degrees during the incident.

While his son was trapped in the sweltering vehicle, Gardner got a haircut and then went drinking at Hanky Panky’s Lounge in Ormond Beach.

The same police officer who tried to revive Sebastian was the one who placed Gardner in handcuffs when he was arrested at his mother’s home.

Investigation reveals multiple false accounts

The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office said Gardner gave “multiple false accounts” of what happened on the day his son died.

Sheriff Mike Chitwood is scheduled to hold a news conference to provide more details about the case and the investigation.

Gardner was taken into custody nearly two weeks after the incident, suggesting investigators spent considerable time building their case against him.

Bodycam footage released by the sheriff’s office shows Gardner being arrested on an enclosed porch at his mother’s residence.

The arrest was made with assistance from the Ormond Beach Police Department.

As Gardner was led away from the home, two unidentified people called out that they loved him.

Hot car deaths remain a persistent danger

This incident highlights the ongoing tragedy of hot car deaths across the United States.

According to the National Safety Council, an average of 37 children under 15 die every year from heat stroke after being left in vehicles.

In 2024, that number jumped to 39 children – a 35% increase from the previous year.

Sebastian’s death marks the seventh hot car death this year and the 115th child to die in a hot car in Florida.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration warns that “rolling windows down or parking in the shade does little to change the interior temperature of the vehicle.”

“A child’s body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult’s,” according to NHTSA safety guidelines.

Community reacts with outrage and disbelief

Local residents expressed shock and anger when they learned about the circumstances surrounding Sebastian’s death.

“It’s shocking and aggravating at the same time,” said Adam Haluska, who lives near the Hanky Panky’s Lounge. “You could be drinking in a different setting, like at home, instead of being selfish and going out.”

Stephen Miksits, another nearby resident and father of two, called the incident “despicable.”

“We all know it’s going in the news. Leaving kids in a car is a recipe for disaster,” Miksits stated.

The case serves as a stark reminder of the responsibilities that come with being a parent.

Legal consequences ahead

Gardner was booked into Volusia County Jail and is being held on no bond.

The charges he faces carry serious penalties in Florida’s legal system.

Aggravated manslaughter of a child is a first-degree felony that can result in up to 30 years in prison.

Child neglect causing great bodily harm is also a serious felony charge.

Given the circumstances and the child’s death, Gardner could face significant prison time if convicted.

The fact that he allegedly provided false accounts to investigators could also complicate his legal defense.

This case represents another preventable tragedy that cost an innocent child his life.

Sebastian was just 18 months old when his father’s poor decisions led to his death in a hot vehicle.

The investigation continues as the community mourns the loss of a toddler who should still be alive today.