[Sebastian Gardner] dies in fatal Ormond Beach, Florida truck shooting/car crash
[Sebastian Gardner] dies in fatal Ormond Beach, Florida truck shooting/car crash
Fatal Ormond Beach, Florida truck shooting/car crash death of [Sebastian]
Seventeen-month-old Sebastian Gardner succumbed to the extreme heat inside a parked truck after his father, Scott Gardner, allegedly abandoned him for over three hours to attend to personal errands. The infant was left unattended in the vehicle’s backseat, where temperatures soared to an estimated 111 degrees Fahrenheit, ultimately proving fatal.
Ormond Beach authorities arrested Scott Gardner nearly two weeks after Sebastian’s passing, charging him with aggravated manslaughter of a child and child neglect causing significant harm. This tragic incident unfolded on June 6th, 2025, at a bustling coastal community in Florida. The timeline revealed that Scott Gardner departed his son’s side around 11:30 a.m. to visit a local barbershop for a haircut.
Investigators documented that shortly after leaving Sebastian, the father proceeded to a nearby bar, Hanky Panky’s Lounge. During his stay, he reportedly consumed alcoholic beverages until at least 2 p.m., neglecting any checks on his child. The timeline indicates Gardner left the bar around 2:40 p.m., driving a short distance home before contacting emergency services around 3 p.m., claiming his son wasn’t breathing.
Despite Sebastian’s death having occurred hours prior, his father continued his activities. Hospital staff informed investigators that the toddler was pronounced deceased upon arrival, a status confirmed by the onset of rigor mortis preventing resuscitation efforts. Medical personnel estimated his core temperature exceeded 107 degrees upon hospital arrival.
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood characterized the incident as a deliberate act of neglect, stating Gardner’s actions were “intentional.” The sheriff expressed profound shock at the incident, emphasizing the deliberate nature of the abandonment and its catastrophic consequences for the young child. Charges against Gardner reflect the severity of the alleged offense.