A tragic incident in Florida has led to the death of an 18-month-old toddler, Sebastian Gardner, after his father, Scott Gardner, allegedly left him in a hot vehicle for hours while he got a haircut and drank at a bar.
The father has been arrested and charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child and child neglect causing great bodily harm.
The Incident: A Hot Car, A Long Wait, and a Father’s Lack of Concern
On June 6, 2025, Scott Gardner, 33, left his toddler son in the backseat of a truck for over three hours while he visited Classic Cuts for a haircut and then went to Hanky Panky’s Lounge, a nearby bar.
According to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, Sebastian was left in the vehicle with the windows down, no air conditioning, and just a small fan aimed at him.
Gardner is believed to have left the child around 11:30 a.m., went for his haircut, and then spent several more hours at the bar, drinking with no concern for his son’s well-being.
Around noon, a minor incident involving a bartender’s car caused Gardner to step outside, but he didn’t check on his child before heading back inside for more drinks. Investigators say that Scott stayed at the bar until about 2 p.m.
The Tragic Discovery and 911 Call
Around 2:40 p.m., Gardner left the bar and drove a short distance home. He then made a 911 call, saying his son wasn’t breathing. In the disturbing 911 call, Scott can be heard panicking, but investigators later determined that Sebastian had likely been dead for at least one to two hours before the call was made.
Upon arriving at the scene, officers found the toddler’s body in a state of rigor mortis, and attempts at resuscitation were unsuccessful. Sebastian was taken to the hospital but was declared dead at 3:30 p.m.
The child’s body temperature was over 107 degrees, indicating that the vehicle’s interior likely reached a dangerous 111 degrees.
A Father’s Inconsistent Story
As the investigation into Sebastian’s death unfolded, Scott Gardner’s account of the day began to conflict with evidence provided by medical personnel. Despite being told that his son had passed, Gardner and his mother reportedly returned to Hanky Panky’s bar, where they stayed until nearly midnight.
Witnesses at the bar claimed that the father appeared unusually calm, considering the gravity of the situation.
Though Scott initially gave multiple false accounts of what happened, he later confessed to leaving his son in the car for hours. Sheriff Mike Chitwood expressed his disbelief at the father’s actions, calling him a “human piece of garbage” and emphasizing that there was no logical reason for Sebastian’s death.
The sheriff also made it clear that this incident was intentional, rather than a case of forgetfulness, leading to the severe charges against Scott Gardner.
Community Shock and Legal Action
The heartbreaking death of Sebastian Gardner has shocked the local community and raised questions about the responsibility of parents. Scott Gardner now faces serious legal charges, and the case has highlighted the devastating dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles, especially in hot weather.
In conclusion, the loss of young Sebastian Gardner serves as a painful reminder of the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles. It also raises concerns about the responsibility of parents in ensuring their children’s safety, especially during everyday activities.
The investigation continues, and Scott Gardner faces severe legal consequences for his actions that led to his son’s tragic death.
