A Florida man has been arrested in connection with the tragic death of his 18-month-old son, Sebastian, who was left alone in a hot car for nearly three hours.
Scott Allen Gardner, 33, is facing charges of aggravated manslaughter of a child and child neglect. Authorities say Gardner left his son in the vehicle while he went to get a haircut and later spent time drinking at a nearby bar.
Police say Gardner gave conflicting stories during questioning. When first responders arrived, Sebastian’s body temperature had reached a fatal 111 degrees. Despite efforts to revive him, the toddler could not be saved.
Gardner was arrested later at his mother’s home. Bodycam footage from the responding officer—who had also tried to save Sebastian—shows the emotional moment of the arrest. Gardner was taken into custody without incident.
The heartbreaking case has once again raised awareness about the deadly risks of leaving children in hot cars, even for a short period of time.
