Police in Florida have arrested a father who they believe is to blame for his 18-month-old son’s death after leaving him “helpless in a hot truck” for more than three hours while he got a haircut and went drinking at a local bar, according to police.
The Volusia Sheriff’s Office and the Ormond Beach Police Department arrested 33-year-old Scott Allen Gardner on Thursday and charged him with aggravated manslaughter of a child and child neglect causing great bodily harm, according to a statement.
“Gardner is responsible for the death of his 18-month-old son Sebastian, who was left helpless in a hot truck for more than 3 hours on the afternoon of Friday, June 6, while Gardner got a haircut and then went drinking inside Hanky Panky’s Lounge,” according to the police.
Gardner also provided multiple false accounts of what happened that day while he was being investigated by police, officials said.
“It was estimated by medical personnel that Sebastian’s body temperature reached 111 degrees during this tragedy,” according to police. “The same OBPD officer who tried to revive Sebastian placed Gardner in handcuffs today as he was taken into custody at his mother’s home in Ormond Beach.”
Officials said they will provide more information about the investigation on Friday and that it is currently ongoing.
