Current:Home > NewsMan who told estranged wife ‘If I can’t have them neither can you’ gets life for killing their kids-LoTradeCoin
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 23:25:33
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! (33)
Related
- AP Top 25: Oregon remains No. 1 as Big Ten grabs 4 of top 5 spots; Georgia, Miami out of top 10
- Texas man pleads guilty to kidnapping teen whose ‘Help Me!’ sign led to Southern California rescue
- Texas couple buys suspect's car to investigate their daughter's mysterious death
- Family sues Atlanta cop, chief and city after officer used Taser on deacon who later died
- COINIXIAI Introduce
- Why Jillian Michaels Is Predicting a Massive Fallout From Ozempic Craze
- Owning cryptocurrency is like buying a Beanie Baby, Coinbase lawyer argues
- Jaafar Jackson shows off iconic Michael Jackson dance move as he prepares to film biopic
- New 'Yellowstone' is here: Season 5 Part 2 premiere date, time, where to watch
- Owning cryptocurrency is like buying a Beanie Baby, Coinbase lawyer argues
Ranking
- Ready-to-eat meat, poultry recalled over listeria risk: See list of affected products
- Jimmie Johnson, crew chief Chad Knaus join Donnie Allison in NASCAR Hall of Fame
- Nikki Reed and Ian Somerhalder Pay Tribute to Twilight and Vampire Diaries Roles on TikTok
- North Carolina school board backs away from law on policies on pronouns, gender identity instruction
- Oprah Winfrey denies being paid $1M for Kamala Harris rally: 'I was not paid a dime'
- Small plane makes emergency landing on snowy Virginia highway
- 18 Finds That Are Aesthetic, Practical & Will Bring You Joy Every Day Of The Year
- Ohio is poised to become the 2nd state to restrict gender-affirming care for adults
Recommendation
-
Elon Musk responds after Chloe Fineman alleges he made her 'burst into tears' on 'SNL'
-
Amid tough reelection fight, San Francisco mayor declines to veto resolution she criticized on Gaza
-
Lily Collins, Selena Gomez and More React to Ashley Park's Hospitalization
-
Kanye West debuts metal teeth: 'Experimental dentistry' didn't involve removing his real teeth
-
He failed as a service dog. But that didn't stop him from joining the police force
-
Nikki Reed and Ian Somerhalder Pay Tribute to Twilight and Vampire Diaries Roles on TikTok
-
Pawn Stars Cast Member Rick Harrison's Son Adam Harrison Dead at 39
-
Loewe explores social media and masculinity in Paris fashion show