TRAGEDY IN FLORIDA: Florida Father Scott Gardner Arrested After Son Sebastian Dies in Hot Car While He Got Haircut and Drank at Bar
ORMOND BEACH, FL — June 19, 2025 — In a heartbreaking and deeply disturbing case that has sent shockwaves across the community, a Florida father has been arrested and charged after his young son died in a sweltering vehicle while he spent hours at a barber shop and a nearby bar.
Authorities have identified the suspect as 33-year-old Scott Gardner, who is now facing multiple felony charges following the tragic death of his infant son, Sebastian Gardner.
According to a detailed report from the Ormond Beach Police Department, Gardner left baby Sebastian locked inside his pickup truck for an estimated three and a half hours on a blisteringly hot afternoon. During that time, investigators say Gardner first went to a barbershop for a haircut and then proceeded to a local lounge where he ordered and consumed alcoholic beverages.
Emergency personnel were called to the scene after Gardner eventually returned to his vehicle and discovered the boy unresponsive. Despite desperate efforts by paramedics, Sebastian was pronounced dead at the scene. Medical examiners revealed that the child’s core body temperature had reached an unimaginable 111 degrees Fahrenheit — a fatal level that indicates the toddler endured extreme and prolonged suffering.
Shocking Negligence and Lies to Police
Authorities say Gardner initially attempted to mislead investigators, offering conflicting and inconsistent accounts of his whereabouts that afternoon. However, surveillance footage and witness interviews quickly contradicted his statements.
“He was trying to lie his way out of what happened,” said one law enforcement official familiar with the investigation. “But the facts told a different story — a story of deadly negligence.”
Police confirmed that Gardner was located and arrested at his mother’s residence in Ormond Beach. He was taken into custody without incident.
Facing Severe Charges
Scott Gardner has been formally charged with:
- Aggravated Manslaughter of a Child
- Child Neglect Causing Great Bodily Harm
If convicted, he could face decades in prison.
“This is an unspeakable tragedy that could have — and should have — been entirely prevented,” said Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood during a press briefing. “We are talking about an innocent baby, left helpless in a hot vehicle, while the person who was supposed to protect him made selfish choices.”
Community in Mourning
News of Sebastian’s death has left the Ormond Beach community reeling. Neighbors described the baby as a beautiful, joyful child who brought light into the lives of those around him.
“How could someone do this to their own baby?” one neighbor said tearfully. “It’s absolutely heartbreaking. That little boy deserved better.”
Advocates for child safety and child welfare organizations are once again urging parents and caregivers to understand the extreme and rapid dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles — even for just a few minutes.
Hot Car Deaths Continue to Rise
Sebastian Gardner’s death marks yet another tragic incident in a rising national trend of hot car deaths. On average, 38 children die in hot cars in the United States every year, according to KidsAndCars.org. Most of these deaths occur when a parent forgets the child is in the backseat — but in this case, authorities allege Gardner knowingly left his child behind while engaging in recreational activities.
Justice for Sebastian
As the investigation continues and Gardner remains in custody, the focus now turns to accountability and justice for young Sebastian. Prosecutors are expected to pursue the case vigorously, citing the deliberate and callous actions that led to the child’s death.
Gardner is currently being held at the Volusia County Jail without bond pending his first court appearance. A judge is expected to address bail and potential trial dates in the coming days.
The Ormond Beach Police Department and Child Protective Services continue to investigate the full scope of the incident, including whether alcohol or other substances may have impaired Gardner’s judgment.
The tragic death of baby Sebastian has become a devastating reminder of how quickly heat can turn a car into a deadly trap — and how carelessness can become fatal. The community mourns the loss of a life that had just begun, and many hope that the case will serve as a wake-up call for greater responsibility and awareness.