Sebastian Gardner dies in fatal Volusia County, Florida hot truck incident
Sebastian Gardner dies in fatal Volusia County, Florida hot truck incident
Fatal Volusia County, Florida hot truck incident death of Sebastian Gardner
Sebastian Gardner, an 18-month-old child, passed away after his father, Scott Gardner, reportedly left him seated inside a parked vehicle in extreme heat for more than three hours. The incident occurred in Ormond Beach, Florida on June 6th.
Investigators revealed that Scott Gardner placed the toddler in the vehicle’s backseat around 11:30 a.m. while he went to get a haircut nearby. Following his grooming appointment, Gardner reportedly visited a local bar and consumed alcohol until late afternoon. Throughout this time, the child remained unattended inside the stationary vehicle.
According to official statements, the parked vehicle reached an estimated internal temperature exceeding 111 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite partially open windows and a small fan operating inside the car, the toddler’s core temperature allegedly surpassed 107 degrees by the time emergency services arrived, ultimately leading to his death.
Gardner contacted authorities at approximately 3:15 p.m. reporting his son was not breathing. Medical personnel confirmed the child had been deceased for approximately one to two hours. The toddler was transported to the hospital but pronounced deceased shortly after their arrival.
On June 19th, Scott Gardner was formally arrested and charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child and child neglect causing great bodily harm. The arrest followed an investigation revealing significant discrepancies between Gardner’s account of events and medical findings related to his son’s death.
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood characterized the incident as “intentional,” stating Gardner “absolutely shocks the conscience.” Authorities emphasized the deliberate nature of leaving the child in the vehicle, noting the stark contrast between the father’s conduct and standard recommendations for child safety regarding vehicle temperatures.
The investigation concluded the child’s death resulted from extreme heat exposure following the intentional abandonment by his parent. The case continues in the Volusia County Court system.