A Chicago man killed his three children after his wife decided to divorce him. Now, he will never walk free again.
Lake County Judge Booras sentenced Jason Karels to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the drowning death of his three children, who were between the ages of 5, 3, and 2. Karels. Karels had initially pleaded not guilty, then later pleaded guilty but mentally ill to three counts of first-degree murder.
“Our thoughts are first, with the family today. This has been a devastating case for the family and community,” said State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart, according to People.
On June 13, 2022, officers responded to a Round Lake Beach home at 200 East Camden Lane after a distress call was made to the police department by the children’s mother, Debra Karels. She had gone to the home of her estranged husband to pick up the children, who had been spending time with their father. Upon gaining entrance into the house, Debra Karels found the lifeless body of all three children lying on a bed. An autopsy report showed the children died from drowning.
In addition, the defendant had left a note for her that stated, “If I can’t have them, neither can you.”
Soon, authorities spotted the 36-year-old Karels close to Jolliet, Illinois, where the defendant led police on a high-speed chase until he crashed his vehicle near Interstate 80. He was immediately apprehended and placed in custody after firefighters pulled him out of the wreckage. Bodycam videos of the officers at the scene showed Karels admitting to the murders.
During the sentencing hearing, Booras described the defendant as sickening" and despicable, reported ABC7.
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