Young Man Faces Death Penalty for Murdering Girlfriend Who Refused Abortion
In a heart-wrenching case that has devastated a Florida community, 23-year-old Donovan Faison was convicted of first-degree murder for killing his pregnant girlfriend, 18-year-old Kaylin Fiengo, and their unborn child. The jury voted 11-1 to recommend the death penalty after hearing the disturbing details of how Faison lured Fiengo to Coastline Park in Sanford in 2022, where he shot her in the head as she sat in her car. The case has highlighted the devastating consequences of relationship violence and raised painful questions about the value of human life, as investigators found both a bullet casing and an ultrasound image near Fiengo’s body—a haunting juxtaposition that symbolizes the two lives lost that day.
The trial revealed text messages that painted a clear picture of Faison’s motives and premeditation. When Fiengo sent him photos of positive pregnancy tests, his immediate response was a single word: “Abortion!!!” Prosecutors explained that Faison “erupted” at the pregnancy news, feeling “angry” and “pressured” because he was simultaneously living with another woman who suspected him of infidelity. The messages showed that when Fiengo refused to terminate the pregnancy, Faison texted a friend with a chilling promise: “On my brothers grave, I’m gonna crop her out.” This threat foreshadowed the calculated plan he would soon execute, using text messages to arrange the fatal meeting at the park.
During the sentencing hearing, the courtroom became a space for grief as Fiengo’s family shared their devastating loss through victim impact statements. Her mother, Sarah Schweickert, spoke words that resonated with raw emotion: “No words can capture the depth of pain that comes with losing your daughter to murder. Every day I wake up and face a world that no longer has her smile, her laughter, her hugs. The grief never leaves – it sits in my chest like a weight that will never go away.” Her father, aunt, and grandmother also addressed the court, each testimony adding another dimension to the portrait of a young woman whose life and future were violently stolen, along with that of her unborn child.
The case represents the confluence of several tragic elements: a young man unwilling to take responsibility for his actions, a young woman determined to protect her pregnancy, and the terrible violence that resulted when Faison chose to eliminate what he viewed as a problem rather than accept his role as a father. Beyond the personal tragedy for all involved, the case raises difficult questions about how society can better protect vulnerable individuals in potentially dangerous relationships. The evidence suggests that Faison’s concern for his reputation and his relationship with another woman outweighed any value he placed on Fiengo’s life or the life of his unborn child, leading to a premeditated act of violence that has left permanent scars on a community.
While the jury has recommended the death penalty, Faison’s family also had the opportunity to speak during the sentencing phase, pleading for the alternative of life imprisonment for the 23-year-old. This contrast between the two families—one grieving lives cut short through violence, the other hoping to spare their loved one from capital punishment—underscores the rippling impact of Faison’s actions beyond the immediate victims. The final decision now rests with Circuit Judge Donna Goerner, who will determine whether to follow the jury’s recommendation at a hearing scheduled for December 5th.
The murder of Kaylin Fiengo and her unborn child represents more than just another tragic headline; it embodies the worst outcomes of relationship violence, the devaluation of human life, and the devastating consequences of choosing violence over responsibility. For Fiengo’s family, no court verdict can restore what they’ve lost—a daughter, a potential grandchild, and the future that might have been. For the community, the case serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly lives can be destroyed and the importance of recognizing warning signs in relationships before they escalate to violence. As the legal process moves toward its conclusion, two lives remain forever silenced, while families on both sides continue to navigate the aftermath of one young man’s deadly decision.
