Latest news with #Sebastian
USA Today
3 days ago
- USA Today
His dad went to a bar. He died in a hot car. Father charged in 18-month-old son's death
A Florida man who law enforcement said left his child in a hot car for hours while he said he went to a barbershop and a bar has been arrested in connection to the toddler's death. Scott Allen Gardner, 33, remained jailed on June 25 charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child and child neglect causing great bodily harm after the death of his 18-month-old son Sebastian, the Volusia County Sheriff's Office reported. The Ormond Beach father left his son in a child seat in the back of his vehicle for about three hours in the middle of the day on June 6 when the temperature reached around 90 degrees, officer wrote in the affidavit obtained by the Daytona Beach News-Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network. The toddler was left in his father's truck while his dad, court papers show, got a haircut and visited visited Hanky Panky's Lounge in Ormond Beach for beers and shots. The beach is directly north of Daytona Beach. According to a charging affidavit in the case, the boy had been dead for at least an hour by the time he was taken to a hospital. Officials said the father told them he left Sebastian in the back seat with the windows down and only a small battery-operated fan pointed at the child. Gardner said he did not leave the air conditioner running in the vehicle and there is no indication he checked on the child, the affidavit reads. The child was pronounced deceased at AdventHealth Daytona Beach. Officials: Sebastian Gardner's temperature reached 111 degrees During the investigation, Gardner lied about what took place that day, according to a release from the sheriff's office. "He said the windows were down, but he's a lying sack of (expletive) on a lot of other stuff," Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood said during a press conference. Medical personnel estimated Sebastian's body temperature reached 111 degrees during the tragedy the Ormond Beach Police Department also responded to. "The same OBPD officer who tried to revive Sebastian placed Gardner in handcuffs today as he was taken into custody at his mother's home in Ormond Beach," the sheriff's office wrote in the day of his June 19 arrest. Lightning hits group: 20 people struck by single lightning bolt in South Carolina Gardner's attorney: 'A difficult situation' On June 24, a judge ordered Gardner be held without bail during a pretrial detention hearing. Assistant State Attorney Andrew Urbanak asked to keep Gardner in jail while his case goes through the court system after Detective Shon McGuire testified Gardner had threatened to beat up or punch the doctor who informed him that his son was dead. McGuire also said Gardner made suicidal statements at the hospital witnessed by law enforcement and medical staff which led to Gardner being Baker Acted − which allows for someone to be involuntarily committed for psychiatric evaluation. However, McGuire said Gardner was checked out and released from a Baker Act facility later that same day. After Gardner was released, the detective testified, the defendant went to Hanky Panky's to continue drinking. McGuire also said Gardner had asked a friend for help in getting out of the country. Gardner's attorney, Assistant Public Defender Larry Avallone, said Gardner and his mother were drinking together at Hanky Panky's hours after the boy died and was brought to the hospital, the affidavit stated. The lawyer said Gardner reacted at the hospital like someone going through a difficult situation. If convicted, prosecutors said Gardner faces a prison sentence of up to 45 years. It was not immediately known when Gardner is due in court again. Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@ and follow her on X @nataliealund.
USA Today
3 days ago
- USA Today
His dad went to a bar. He died in a hot car. Man charged 18-month-old son's death
A Florida man who law enforcement said left his child in a hot car for hours while he said he went to a barbershop and a bar has been arrested in connection to the toddler's death. Scott Allen Gardner, 33, remained jailed on June 25 charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child and child neglect causing great bodily harm after the death of his 18-month-old son Sebastian, the Volusia County Sheriff's Office reported. The Ormond Beach father left his son in a child seat in the back of his vehicle for about three hours in the middle of the day on June 6 when the temperature reached around 90 degrees, officer wrote in the affidavit obtained by the Daytona Beach News-Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network. The toddler was left in his father's truck while his dad, court papers show, got a haircut and visited visited Hanky Panky's Lounge in Ormond Beach for beers and shots. The beach is directly north of Daytona Beach. According to a charging affidavit in the case, the boy had been dead for at least an hour by the time he was taken to a hospital. Officials said the father told them he left Sebastian in the back seat with the windows down and only a small battery-operated fan pointed at the child. Gardner said he did not leave the air conditioner running in the vehicle and there is no indication he checked on the child, the affidavit reads. The child was pronounced deceased at AdventHealth Daytona Beach. Officials: Sebastian Gardner's temperature reached 111 degrees During the investigation, Gardner lied about what took place that day, according to a release from the sheriff's office. "He said the windows were down, but he's a lying sack of (expletive) on a lot of other stuff," Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood said during a press conference. Medical personnel estimated Sebastian's body temperature reached 111 degrees during the tragedy the Ormond Beach Police Department also responded to. "The same OBPD officer who tried to revive Sebastian placed Gardner in handcuffs today as he was taken into custody at his mother's home in Ormond Beach," the sheriff's office wrote in the day of his June 19 arrest. Lightning hits group: 20 people struck by single lightning bolt in South Carolina Gardner's attorney: 'A difficult situation' On June 24, a judge ordered Gardner be held without bail during a pretrial detention hearing. Assistant State Attorney Andrew Urbanak asked to keep Gardner in jail while his case goes through the court system after Detective Shon McGuire testified Gardner had threatened to beat up or punch the doctor who informed him that his son was dead. McGuire also said Gardner made suicidal statements at the hospital witnessed by law enforcement and medical staff which led to Gardner being Baker Acted − which allows for someone to be involuntarily committed for psychiatric evaluation. However, McGuire said Gardner was checked out and released from a Baker Act facility later that same day. After Gardner was released, the detective testified, the defendant went to Hanky Panky's to continue drinking. McGuire also said Gardner had asked a friend for help in getting out of the country. Gardner's attorney, Assistant Public Defender Larry Avallone, said Gardner and his mother were drinking together at Hanky Panky's hours after the boy died and was brought to the hospital, the affidavit stated. The lawyer said Gardner reacted at the hospital like someone going through a difficult situation. If convicted, prosecutors said Gardner faces a prison sentence of up to 45 years. It was not immediately known when Gardner is due in court again. Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@ and follow her on X @nataliealund.
New York Post
4 days ago
- New York Post
‘Sack of s–t' Florida dad who left toddler to die in hot car while he got drinks went back to same bar right after tragedy: cops
A Florida dad arrested for allegedly leaving his helpless young son to die in a hot car for hours while he got a haircut and went to a bar was described as 'garbage' by officials who revealed the heartless father returned to the local watering hole following the tot's horrific, preventable death. Scott Allen Gardner is accused of leaving 18-month-old Sebastian inside his locked truck while he galivanted around Ormond Beach, Florida on June 6, getting a fresh cut and stopping by Hanky Panky's Lounge for some drinks, the Volusia County Sheriff's Office said. Gardner, 33, a father for less than two years, was given a few new titles after his arrest. 'I want to start out by saying that this father is a human piece of garbage and he is a lying sack of s–t,' Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said during a press conference Monday. 6 Scott Allen Gardner was arrested and charged in for his toddler son's death on June 6, 2025. Volusia Sheriff Dept. Gardner drove his truck to Classic Cuts on Ocean Shore Blvd and Brooks Drive at around 11:30 a.m., leaving his son in the vehicle, officials revealed. The father then crossed the street, entering Hanky Panky's Lounge around 12 p.m. where he ordered at least two rounds of beer and shots of Fireball. Witnesses told police they never saw Sebastian in the car, despite Gardner bringing his son into the bar on multiple occasions. Gardner, at one point, stepped outside to look at a car crash in the parking lot, but never went to check on his son, Chitwood told reporters 'How in the world can you be so messed up that you would allow your child to sit back there in Florida, in 90-degree weather, walk outside and check on some car but never go near your son?' he questioned. 6 Little Sebastian was estimated to have been inside the hot car during the hot Florida day for over three hours on June 6, 2025. Volusia Sheriff Dept. 6 Gardner allegedly stopped at Classic Cuts before crossing the street to Hanky Panky's Lounge in Ormond Beach, Florida. Volusia Sheriff Dept. After paying for his drinks, Gardner drove back to his mother's home, a mile southwest of the bar. Little Sebastian was estimated to have been in the car for over three hours, as the outside temperatures reached 92 degrees. Gardner only discovered his son wasn't breathing when driving back to his mother's home. He frantically called 911 to report the deadly medical emergency, cutting off the dispatcher as he yelled for his mom's help, according to a recording of the call shared by the sheriff's office. First responders attempted life-saving measures on the tot, but couldn't because he was already showing signs of death. 'When the Ormond Beach police officer arrives at 2:49 p.m., he can't do CPR because the baby's in rigor mortis,' Chitwood said. 6 Gardner opens the door to his mother's house, leading a police officer to Sebastian inside. Volusia Sheriff Dept. Officials believe Sebastian was dead for two hours before his father called 911. Sebastian was rushed to a nearby hospital, where his internal temperature was measured at over 107 degrees. Officials estimate that the inside of the car reached as high as 111 degrees while the toddler was strapped into his car seat. 'Not only did he treat the Ormond Beach Police Department like pieces of s–t, he treated the doctors and nurses, the staff (at the hospital) like pieces of s–t. So this guy is nothing but a piece of s–t,' Chitwood said. Gardner told police he had left the windows open and had a minifan that ran on AA batteries for his son. Chitwood refuted the claims, as investigators revealed the position of the truck would have caused the back seat to heat up to a deadly temperature even if the A/C was running on high in the front seat. After leaving the hospital, Gardner returned to his mother's house before the two returned to the bar. 'Father of the year, baby is dead, investigation going on, what does he do? He picks up his mother and they go back Hanky Panky's for a few more cocktails,' the outraged sheriff said. Gardner remained at the bar with his mom until midnight. Police don't believe Gardner's mom was aware of what her son was doing at the time of her grandson's death. Gardner was arrested two weeks later at his mother's house. 6 Gardner is arrested by Ormond Beach Police at his mother's home on June 19, 2025. Volusia Sheriff Dept. The same police officer who attempted to save Sebastian was the cop who handcuffed the man allegedly responsible for the baby's death. Gardner was charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child and neglect of a child causing great bodily harm. He was held in jail without bond. 'I don't think there's a penalty on this Earth that could ever fit for the crime that was committed here,' Chitwood said. 'It absolutely shocks the conscience for this to even happen.' The disgusted sheriff offered even more vitriol against Gardner. 6 Gardner was charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child and neglect of a child causing great bodily harm. Volusia Sheriff Dept. 'He is exactly where he belongs to be, behind bars,' Chitwood said. 'My hope for him, is that every night, when he closes his eyes, and every morning when he opens his eyes, his son Sebastian is sitting there asking 'Dad why did you do this to me?' ' Chitwood said. 'There is no reason for this little boy to be dead.'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Judge orders man accused of leaving child in hot truck while he was at bar held in jail
DAYTONA BEACH — A judge has ordered that the man accused of leaving his 18-month-old son to die in a hot truck while he got a haircut and drinks at a bar held without bail. Scott Allen Gardner, 33, of Ormond Beach, was arrested and booked into the jail on June 19 and charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child and child neglect causing great bodily harm. Circuit Judge A. Christian Miller ordered on June 24 that Gardner be held on pre-trial detention, meaning he will remain in jail without bond while his case goes through the legal process. Gardner left his son, Sebastian, in a child seat in the back of his vehicle for about three hours in the middle of the day on June 6 when the temperature was about 90 degrees, according to a charging affidavit. While Gardner got his hair cut and then went to get drinks at Hanky Panky's bar, he left Sebastian in the back seat of his truck with the windows down and only a small battery-operated fan pointed at the child. Gardner said he did not leave the air conditioner running in the vehicle and there is no indication he checked on the child, the affidavit stated. Law enforcement said the child likely died while Gardner was inside Hanky Panky's, putting his death between one and two hours before Gardner called 911. The child was taken to AdventHealth in Daytona Beach, where he was pronounced dead at 3:30 p.m. The ER doctor said that the child's body temperature was 107.8 degrees. The doctor said Sebastian had been dead for 'some time,' more than an hour, based on the rigor mortis and the discoloration. Later that same day, after the child's death, Gardner and his mother returned to Hanky Panky's, the affidavit stated. Assistant State Attorney Andrew Urbanak filed a motion for pre-trial detention seeking to keep Gardner locked up in the Volusia County Branch Jail without bond. Urbanak wrote in the motion that Gardner "be held on pre-trial detention as a danger to the community." Urbanak wrote that there is "substantial probability" that Gardner committed the offense, which is classified as a "dangerous crime" and "there are no reasonable conditions of release that can protect the community from harm" if Gardner is released. Nor are there reasonable conditions to assure Gardner will appear at trial, Urbanak wrote. Check back for updates on this developing story. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Ormond Beach man accused of leaving son in hot car held without bond
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Dame Deborah James' husband's mystery woman unmasked as glam investment banker
Dame Deborah James' widower has found love with a hugely successful Swiss investment banker, with the pair making their relationship official last week Dame Deborah James' widow has found love with a Swiss investment banker. Sebastian Bowen had stood by the broadcaster and campaigner throughout her courageous fight against bowel cancer. But Dame Deborah, who died in 2022, had made it clear to her husband she wanted him to find love after her death. Last week, Sebastian was spotted out and about with a mystery woman as they put on a very loved-up display while enjoying the recent heatwave across the UK. He and his new girlfriend headed out in Hammersmith, west London, as they soaked up the sun and enjoyed a romantic lunch overlooking the River Thames. Now, it's said that his new girlfriend is a very glamorous Swiss investment banker. Sebastian, 45, and his new girlfriend may have been celebrating her 39th birthday when they were spotted romantically walking alongside the river while wrapping their arms around one another. It's reported that Sebastian has found love with Susann Aulbach, who currently works as the head of investor relations at a swanky London insurance firm. Susann, who is said to have grown up in Switzerland and lives in west London, according to the Daily Mail, looked sensational as she rocked a glamorous red dress which cut off above the knee. Sebastian opted for a more casual look, rocking a blue casual shirt, leaving his top buttons undone, with a pair of chinos and trainers. As the couple went about their day, they looked extremely loved up as they walked hand in hand. But leading body language expert, Judi James, believes that Sebastian and Susann could have been friends before their romance blossomed. "One of the key words that stands out from their body language together is 'relaxed'," Judi told the Mirror. She went on to add: They appear lacking in any signs of tension or anxiety, suggesting they make each other happy. "There's no clinging or neediness here: the hand clasp shows the fingers are meshed, but the clasp itself is relaxed and quite loose. Their smiles have an element of coyness, but they are twinned smiles and appear authentic rather than the kind of social, more effortful smiles you often see when people are trying to impress each other on a first date." Judi went on to say: "Their body language looks synchronised too, with lots of mirroring to suggest like-minded thinking. This looks like a very even-handed relationship in terms of emotions, intellect and levels of confidence, suggesting a strong friendship that might have been established before anything more romantic." A source has since said that the pair are "very much in love" and it was "heartening" to see Sebastian, a banker with private equity firm Pomona Capital, looking happy again. Since Dame Deborah's death, he had been on a string of dates but was taking new romances "very slowly" as Deborah was a "tough act to follow". Prior to her tragic death, the campaigner who raised more than £11million for cancer research branded her husband a "very eligible bachelor" and knew he would have attention from other women following her death. Speaking on the BBC Radio 5 Live show, You, Me And The Big C, she said: "I have given him strict instructions." Dame Deborah went on to add: "I want him to move on. He's a handsome man, I'm like, 'Don't be taken for a ride, don't marry a bimbo, find someone else who can make you laugh like we did." But she also joked that she had a list of people she didn't want Sebastian to date. "I would do my damned hardest to haunt him," she joked.
