DOB: 08/28/1991

Case Number: 2025 104282 CFDB

Gardner Sentenced to Prison in the Hot Car Death of His Toddler Son

DAYTONA BEACH – During a hearing on Thursday, Volusia County defendant Scott Gardner entered no contest pleas to Second-Degree Murder, Aggravated Child Abuse, and Neglect of a Child Causing Great Bodily Harm. He was then sentenced to 42 years in prison for the crimes.

On June 6, 2025, Gardner left his 18-month-old son in 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.

During the investigation, the defendant 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 about the case. “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.”

The case was investigated by the Ormond Beach Police Department and Volusia Sheriff’s Office. Assistant State Attorney Andrew Urbanak successfully prosecuted the case for the State of Florida. The Honorable Kathryn Weston heard the case and imposed sentence.