Jason E. Karels, a 36-year-old resident of Round Lake Beach, was handed a life sentence on Friday after admitting to the murder of his three children: Gideon Karels, aged 2; Cassidy Karels, aged 3; and Bryant Karels, aged 5.
The father, Jason E. Karels, 36, from Round Lake Beach, was sentenced to life in prison for the tragic deaths of his three young children, aged 2, 3, and 5, whom he drowned in a bathtub.
Initially facing three counts of first-degree murder in June 2022, Karels was later indicted by a grand jury on a total of nine first-degree murder charges, reflecting his intent and the grave consequences of his actions.
Although he initially pleaded not guilty, Karels changed his plea in December to guilty but mentally ill on three counts of first-degree murder during a court hearing.
Subsequently, Lake County Judge James Booras imposed a life sentence without the possibility of parole on Karels.
Following the sentencing, Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart expressed sympathy for the family, acknowledging the profound impact of the case on both them and the community. He commended the Round Lake Beach law enforcement officers for their exceptional performance under extremely challenging circumstances.
Moreover, Rinehart praised the dedicated efforts of the legal team and victim specialist who worked tirelessly to ensure justice for the family and hold the offender accountable.
The tragic incident unfolded when officers responded to a well-being check at Karels’ residence on East Camden Lane in Round Lake Beach, where the mother discovered her three children lifeless in a bedroom.
The victims, identified as Gideon Karels (2), Cassidy Karels (3), and Bryant Karels (5), had fallen prey to their father’s heinous act.
During the investigation, a note found in the house indicated Karels’ disturbing intent, stating, “If I can’t have them neither can you,” underscoring the tragic circumstances surrounding the children’s deaths.
Karels, who was still legally married but separated from his wife, confessed to the crime, detailing how he systematically drowned each child in the bathtub.
Autopsies confirmed that the cause of death for all three children was drowning, as determined by the Lake County Coroner’s Office.
The subsequent pursuit and apprehension of Karels by law enforcement underscored the severity of the situation, with the offender engaging in reckless behavior that endangered not only himself but also the public.
At the sentencing hearing, victim-impact statements from the children’s mother, maternal grandmother, and aunt painted a poignant picture of the devastating loss and the enduring pain inflicted by Karels’ actions.
Describing the children as beautiful and innocent, the family expressed profound grief and labeled Karels as a “monster” who shattered their lives.
The statements highlighted the irreplaceable void left by the children’s untimely deaths, emphasizing the enduring impact of the tragedy on their lives.
Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office Chief of the Domestic Violence Division, Eric Kalata, emphasized the necessity of the life sentence, characterizing Karels’ deeds as reprehensible and malevolent.
In summary, the judge, along with law enforcement officials and legal representatives, condemned Karels’ actions as abhorrent and unforgivable, standing in solidarity with the grieving family.