Fla. man who murdered ex's toddler daughter punished to life imprisonment
Share and Follow

An unhappy man in Florida murdered the young daughter of his ex-girlfriend just a week after she ended their relationship. As a consequence, he has been sentenced to spend the rest of his life behind bars.

Travis Ray Thompson beat 2-year-old Jacklyn Schwingel so badly on May 2, 2022, her spine was severed. She also suffered from extensive internal bleeding, prosecutors said in a statement.

A judge sentenced Thompson, 27, to life behind bars after jurors deliberated his fate for just two hours Wednesday, finding him guilty of first-degree murder.


Mugshot of Travis Ray Thompson, convicted of first-degree murder.
Travis Ray Thompson was sentenced to life in prison. Marion County Sheriff’s Office

Jacklyn’s mother left the girl in Thompson’s care that morning so she could go to work.

She had ended their relationship a week earlier, prosecutors said.

Thompson called the mother 25 minutes after she’d left, and said something was wrong with Jacklyn.

When she arrived, her baby girl was lifeless and her heart was barely beating, authorities said.

The pair rushed Jacklyn to the hospital, where she died from her injuries.


Photo of Jacklyn Schwingel, a 2-year-old girl smiling and sitting on a wooden pole
Jacklyn Schwingel was murdered a week after she dumped Thompson. Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office / Facebook

The doctors who’d treated the child told investigators they suspected Jacklyn had been abused.

Thompson told detectives he was in a different room when he heard a loud noise and then found the little girl unresponsive.

The Medical Examiner’s Office determined Thompson gradually bent the girl backwards until her spine snapped.

“This monster stole the life of an innocent child, and today, the justice system made sure he will never walk free again,” said Bill Gladson, State Attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit. “Life in prison is too good for this kind of evil.”

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy speaks during a news conference at the Department of Transportation in Washington, Friday, Dec. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Outrage at the Airport: Sean Duffy’s Daughter Sparks Debate on TSA’s ‘Unconstitutional’ Pat-Downs

Evita Duffy-Alfonso, daughter of U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, voiced her frustration…
LA bleeding money on outside legal fees — despite a $150M in-house payroll

Los Angeles Faces Financial Strain with Outsourced Legal Fees, Despite $150M In-House Legal Budget

Los Angeles City Hall is currently facing scrutiny for its hefty expenditures…
Pope Leo XIV's oldest brother admitted to 'everything short of murder and incest' during tell-all confession with pontiff

Eldest Brother of Pope Leo XIV Confesses to Series of Misdeeds in Revealing Discussion with Pontiff

Pope Leo XIV’s older brother, known as a staunch MAGA supporter and…
Travel nightmare unfolds at major East Coast airports as powerful storm unleashes vicious winds, rain

Chaos in the Skies: East Coast Airports Paralyzed by Fierce Storms and High Winds

NEW YORK – On Friday morning, a vast portion of the East…
WATCH LIVE: Officials provide update after man suspected in shooting at Brown University was found dead

Live Coverage: Authorities Deliver Update on Suspected Shooter Found Deceased at Brown University

Authorities suspect a man is behind both a shooting incident at Brown…
Meghan Markle shares most intimate glimpse yet of Archie and Lilibet

Meghan Markle Offers an Unprecedented Look into Life with Archie and Lilibet

In a fresh update on Instagram today, Meghan Markle has unveiled the…
Terrifying maps show exactly who is at risk of new 'super flu' in US

Detailed Maps Reveal Populations at Risk from Emerging ‘Super Flu’ in the United States

The holiday season often brings about travel and the joy of reuniting…
Boy, 13, took own life after Instagram scammers' sextortion scheme

Tragic Loss: 13-Year-Old Victim of Instagram Sextortion Scam Dies by Suicide

The tragic case of a Pennsylvania teenager’s suicide has been linked to…