A Florida man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of his ex-girlfriend’s two-year-old daughter, Jacklyn Schwingel. Travis Ray Thompson, 27, was found guilty of first-degree murder after a two-hour jury deliberation. The crime occurred on May 2, 2022, a week after the child’s mother ended her relationship with Thompson.
The court heard that Thompson had inflicted such severe injuries on the toddler that her spine was severed, and she suffered extensive internal bleeding. The child’s mother had left her in Thompson’s care while she went to work. Shortly after she left, Thompson called her, claiming something was wrong with Jacklyn.
Upon her return, the mother found her daughter lifeless, with her heart barely beating. The two rushed the child to the hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries. Medical professionals who attended to Jacklyn informed investigators that they suspected the child had been a victim of abuse.
Thompson, however, claimed innocence, telling detectives that he was in another room when he heard a loud noise and found Jacklyn unresponsive. The Medical Examiner’s Office, however, concluded that Thompson had gradually bent the child backwards until her spine snapped.
Bill Gladson, State Attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit, expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision. He stated, “This monster stole the life of an innocent child, and today, the justice system made sure he will never walk free again.” He added that life imprisonment was too lenient a punishment for such a heinous act.
The case has sparked outrage and sorrow in the community, highlighting the urgent need for vigilance and protective measures to safeguard children from such horrific acts of violence.