Florida father sentenced to 42 years for leaving toddler to die in hot car while getting haircut, drinking at bar

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – A Volusia County father was sentenced to 42 years in prison Thursday after pleading no contest to charges stemming from the hot car death of his 18-month-old son.

Scott Gardner entered no contest pleas to second-degree murder, aggravated child abuse and neglect of a child causing great bodily harm.

On June 6, 2025, Investigators say Gardner left his toddler son locked inside a hot truck for three hours while he got a haircut and drank at a bar in Ormond Beach. Medical personnel estimated the child’s body temperature had reached 111 degrees, and he had been dead for at least an hour by the time he arrived at the hospital.

Investigators say Gardner repeatedly lied to detectives about what happened that day.

“There is no cause for celebration in resolving this case. An 18-month-old child suffered greatly and died while in the custody and care of his father,” State Attorney R.J. Larizza said. “The father chose to drink and get a haircut instead of loving and protecting his son. A totally vulnerable and defenseless child died because of the selfish vanity of his dad.”