The father accused in the case appeared visibly shocked during his recent court appearance when the judge declared he would be held without bond.
Authorities in Florida arrested 33-year-old Scott Allen Gardner on June 19, 2025, in connection with the death of his 18-month-old son, Sebastian Gardner. The Volusia Sheriff’s Office and the Ormond Beach Police Department charged him with aggravated manslaughter of a child and child neglect causing severe harm.
Police arrest Scott Allen Gardner, dated June 2025 | Source: Facebook/VolusiaSheriff’sOffice
The charges against Scott came after a heartbreaking series of events that unfolded earlier in the month. On June 6, Scott left Sebastian alone in a hot truck for almost three hours while he got a haircut and then spent time drinking inside Hanky Panky’s Lounge.
During questioning, Scott changed his story more than once. Medical teams later found that Sebastian’s body temperature had soared to 111 degrees. The officer who had tried to save Sebastian’s life was the same one who arrested Scott at his mother’s house in Ormond Beach.
Bodycam footage shows Scott Gardner’s arrest in June 2025. As he was led away, someone shouted, “I love you,” and an officer replied, “Say goodbye—you’re not coming back here again.”
Scott Gardner stayed drinking at a lounge for hours while his toddler, Sebastian, suffered in a hot vehicle. By the time he called 911, Sebastian had already succumbed to heatstroke.
