A 35-year-old Illinois man is now facing murder charges in connection with the drowning deaths of his three children after allegedly confessing to police.
Per a report from the Associated Press, the man—identified as Jason E. Karels—was confirmed to have been arrested on Monday following a “high-speed chase” with officers. The chase ultimately concluded with a crash in the Joliet area that left Karels temporarily hospitalized.
Per the Round Lake Beach Police Department, officers were first called to a residence for a well-being check on Monday by a mother who was supposed to pick up her children “from her estranged husband.” Upon arrival at the residence, police said, the three children were found dead inside the home. Karels was “immediately identified” as an initial person-of-interest.
As the investigation into the deaths began, Illinois State Police are said to have spotted Karels’ vehicle and attempted to make a stop before a 17-minute “high-speed chase” was initiated. The chase was brought to an end when Karels crashed the vehicle into an “extremely wooded area.”
On Tuesday evening, police said Karels had been released from the hospital and taken to the Lake County Jail. The deceased have been identified as five-year-old Bryant Karels, three-year-old Cassidy Karels, and two-year-old Gideon Karels. Preliminary autopsy results, per AP, suggested all three children were killed by drowning.
Jason E. Karels has since been charged with three counts of first-degree murder and is slated to make an appearance in court on Wednesday.
