Police in Florida have arrested a father accused of leaving his 18-month-old son in a hot vehicle, ultimately leading to his death. Scott Gardner, 33, took his son, Sebastian, with him to run errands on June 6, 2025. Gardner reportedly got a haircut and then went to Hanky Panky’s Lounge in Ormond Beach for a few cocktails.
When he got home several hours later, a panicked Gardner called 911 to report his son unresponsive. When emergency responders arrived, Sebastian was dead and had a body temperature of 107 degrees.
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood addressed the media on June 20, not mincing words about his thoughts on the arrest.
“I want to start out by saying that this father is a human piece of garbage, and he’s a lying sack of s—” Chitwood announced. “He’s exactly where he belongs to be, behind bars. He’s facing felony aggravated child abuse and felony aggravated manslaughter. My hope for him is every night when he closes his eyes, and every morning when he opens his eyes, his son Sebastian is there and says, ‘Dad, why did you do this to me?'”
According to Chitwood, Gardner left Sebastian in the back of his truck with the windows down and the car turned off. He reportedly left nothing but a battery-operated fan to keep the child cool. Gardner allegedly entered Classic Cuts barber shop around 11:30 a.m. and then headed into Hanky Panky’s to drink. He stayed at the bar until around 2 p.m.
Chitwood said a customer backed into a bartender’s car in the parking lot at some point during his time at the bar. Gardner allegedly went out to check the damage but did not go to his own vehicle to see his son. The father arrived home around 2:40 p.m. and called 911 for help
“My son’s not breathing. A year and a half. Oh my god. He just had his eyes open. Oh my god, Sebastian,” he yelled.
Emergency responders arrived a short time later but could not revive the toddler. When Sebastian arrived at the hospital, his temperature was 107 degrees. Doctors believe the temperature in the vehicle could have been as high as 111 degrees that day.
The night of Sebastian’s death, Chitwood said Gardner and his mother, who apparently had no idea her grandson was dead at that point, went back to Hanky Panky’s and drank until midnight.
“There’s no logical reason why this little guy is dead,” the sheriff said during the media conference.
“We’ve seen it, people forget their kids in the back seat, but this was completely different,” he added. “This was intentional. That’s what the charges are for.”
According to online records, Gardner is in Volusia County Jail, being held without bond.
Hanky Panky’s released a statement on Facebook regarding Sebastian’s tragic death.
“The Hanky Panky’s Lounge family and staff would like to publicly extend our sincerest sympathies to all those impacted by this devastating tragedy. Our hearts are filled with sorrow for the young boy and his loved ones,” the statement reads in part. “We have been steadfast supporters of getting Justice for Sebastian from the moment we became aware of this tragedy and have cooperated fully with investigators, refraining from premature statements that could jeopardize the investigation.”
