Illinois Man Pleads Guilty to Drowning His Three Children

Jason Karels, 36, to be sentenced to life without parole following his confession during a police chase after the crime.

Jason Karels, 36, has pleaded guilty but mentally ill to the murder of his three children, Bryant, 5, Cassidy, 3 and Gideon, 2, who he drowned during a custodial visit in June 2022.
Karels was arrested following a police chase that ended in a crash near Joliet, Illinois. He confessed to the murders and his attempted suicide to the police officers at the scene.
The children's mother, Debra Karels, found their bodies at Karels' home in Round Lake Beach, Illinois, along with a note from Karels stating, 'If I can't have them neither can you.'
Debra Karels was in the process of divorcing Jason Karels due to his neglect and alleged abuse. Despite this, she had allowed the children to stay with him for the sake of maintaining a relationship with their father.
As part of the plea, Karels will be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 16, 2024.