Father Accused of Leaving Toddler in Hot Car to Get a Haircut

A father in Florida is facing serious charges after allegedly leaving his 18-month-old son, Sebastian, inside a parked, overheated truck for over three hours. The incident occurred on June 6 when the man, identified as Scott Allen Gardner, reportedly took a break at a local bar and got a haircut.

Police say Gardner locked his son inside the vehicle while temperatures outside soared to 92 degrees Fahrenheit. Medical examiners estimate the child’s body temperature reached a deadly 111 degrees, despite attempts to revive him. Sadly, Sebastian succumbed to heat-related injuries.

After the tragedy, authorities tracked Gardner down to his mother’s home in Ormond Beach. Bodycam footage captured the moment police detained him inside an enclosed porch. During arrest, Gardner was searched and searched before being placed into custody. Officers noted he gave false accounts of the events leading up to his son’s death.

Gardner was arrested on charges of aggravated manslaughter of a child and child neglect causing great bodily harm, with a bond set at $100,000. As he was led away, some people near the scene called out to him, expressing love as he was taken into custody.