(WBBM NEWSRADIO) – The 36-year-old man accused of killing his three children in 2022 in Round Lake Beach will spend the rest of his life behind bars after pleading guilty, prosecutors in the northern suburbs announced.
Jason Karels entered a “guilty but mentally ill” plea to three counts of first-degree murder and will be sentenced to natural life in prison without parole, the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office said.
Karels was accused of drowning his three children, who ranged in age from 2 to 5, in June 2022 as a way of getting back at his estranged wife. He allegedly left a note saying, “If I can’t have them neither can you.”
Prosecutors say they consulted with the family before Friday’s hearing.
“This case has devasted the Round Lake Beach community and beyond. We hope that today’s resolution provides some measure of closure, and we will continue to provide support to the family,” Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart said in a prepared statement.
After murdering his children, Karels fled the scene and was later apprehended near Joliet. He confessed to the killings as he was being taken into custody, officials said.
Karels will be sentenced in February.
Listen to our new podcast Looped In: Chicago
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram