Current:Home > BackMan who told estranged wife ‘If I can’t have them neither can you’ gets life for killing their kids-InfoLens
Man who told estranged wife ‘If I can’t have them neither can you’ gets life for killing their kids
View Date:2024-12-23 14:22:20
WAUKEGAN, Ill. (AP) — A suburban Chicago man who told his estranged wife in a note after he drowned their three young children “If I can’t have them neither can you” was sentenced Friday to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The Lake County judge sentenced Jason Karels, of Round Lake Beach, after considering victim-impact statements written by the children’s mother, maternal grandmother and aunt that called Karels “a `monster’ who destroyed many lives,” the prosecutor said in a statement.
“Our thoughts are first, with the family today. This has been a devastating case for the family and community,” Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart said in a statement.
Karels, 36, pleaded guilty but mentally ill in December to three counts of first-degree murder. He admitted that he drowned 5-year-old Bryant Karels, 3-year-old Cassidy Karels and 2-year-old Gideon Karels on June 13, 2022.
Guilty but mentally ill means a defendant has a mental illness but understands the difference between right and wrong.
Officers sent to his home to check on the welfare of the children found a note for his estranged wife saying, “If I can’t have them neither can you,” prosecutors said.
Karels was arrested after leading police on a chase that ended in a crash at an highway bridge in Joliet, Round Lake Beach police said. Karels was briefly hospitalized after the crash.
Karels told first responders following the crash that he was responsible for his children’s deaths and had attempted to kill himself before fleeing his home, police said. Officers found his blood in the house from his attempts to hurt himself.
Police said at the time of the deaths that the parents shared custody of the children but did not live together.
veryGood! (3485)
Related
- Republican Vos reelected as Wisconsin Assembly speaker despite losing seats, fights with Trump
- Les Miles lawsuit against LSU, seeks reinstatement of vacated wins for Hall of Fame criteria
- Angie Harmon's 18-year-old daughter faces felony charges for alleged break-in at a bar
- Bob Schul, the only American runner to win the 5,000 meters at the Olympics, dies at 86
- Ford agrees to pay up to $165 million penalty to US government for moving too slowly on recalls
- Boston Celtics now have most NBA championships. How many does every team have?
- Man accused of acting as lookout during Whitey Bulger's prison killing avoids more jail time
- Russian President Vladimir Putin set to visit Kim Jong Un in North Korea
- Darren Criss on why playing a robot in 'Maybe Happy Ending' makes him want to cry
- When violence and trauma visit American places, a complex question follows: Demolish, or press on?
Ranking
- More human remains from Philadelphia’s 1985 MOVE bombing have been found at a museum
- Boston Celtics are early betting favorites for 2025 NBA title; odds for every team
- Police officer in Yonkers, New York, charged with assaulting man during arrest
- Boston Celtics are early betting favorites for 2025 NBA title; odds for every team
- Trump's election has women swearing off sex with men. It's called the 4B movement.
- Boston Celtics defeat Dallas Mavericks to win 2024 NBA Finals
- Armed man who demanded to see Wisconsin governor pleads guilty to misdemeanor
- Stock market today: Asian shares mostly gain after Wall St rallies to new records
Recommendation
-
See Megan Fox, Machine Gun Kelly, Brian Austin Green and Sharna Burgess' Blended Family Photos
-
Senate Democrats to try to ban bump stocks after Supreme Court ruling
-
Sean Diddy Combs returns key to New York City following mayor's request
-
In 1983, children in California found a victim's skull with a distinctive gold tooth. She has finally been identified.
-
Tennessee suspect in dozens of rapes is convicted of producing images of child sex abuse
-
Can Florida win Stanley Cup? Panthers vs. Oilers live stream, TV, odds, keys to Game 5
-
Israeli military says it will begin a daily tactical pause to allow for humanitarian aid into southern Gaza
-
Jeep, Chrysler and Ram will still have CarPlay, Android Auto as GM brands will phase out