A Florida man has been sentenced to death after being found guilty of murdering his 18-year-old girlfriend and their unborn child, following her refusal to have an abortion. The tragic case revolves around Donovan Faison, 23, who was convicted last week of the first-degree murder of Kaylin Fiengo, the killing of an unborn child, and burglary with a firearm. The jury delivered an 11-1 vote in favor of the death penalty, as announced by the Office of the State Attorney in a news release on Friday.
Fiengo’s life was tragically cut short when Faison shot her in the head while she was seated in her car at Coastline Park in Sanford in 2022. The grim scene presented investigators with a bullet casing and an ultrasound image found near her lifeless body, painting a poignant image of unfulfilled potential.
In court, prosecutors revealed the digital trail leading up to the crime. Text messages between the couple showed Fiengo had sent Faison a photo of two positive pregnancy tests. His chilling response was a single word: “Abortion!!!”
The case unveils a deeper personal conflict, as prosecutors explained Faison’s reaction to the pregnancy news was fueled by anger and a sense of being pressured. At that time, he was living with another woman who suspected him of infidelity, complicating his emotional state and leading to such a drastic and irreversible decision.
Kaylin Fiengo,18, was pregnant when she was shot in the head at a park in Sanford, Florida, in 2022. (Office of the State Attorney 18th Judicial Circuit)
Faison “erupted” at the news of the pregnancy, feeling “angry” and “pressured” because he was living with another woman at the time who suspected him of cheating, according to prosecutors.
When Fiengo refused to terminate the pregnancy, prosecutors said Faison texted a friend, “On my brothers grave, I’m gonna crop her out.”
Donovan Faison, 23, was convicted of murdering Fiengo and their unborn son last week. A jury also voted 11-1 to sentence him to death. (Office of the State Attorney 18th Judicial Circuit)
Further text messages showed Faison then lured Fiengo to a meeting at the park where he shot her dead, prosecutors said.
During the sentencing hearing on Thursday, Fiengo’s mother, father, aunt and grandmother delivered victim impact statements.
A photo of an ultrasound was found next to Fiengo’s body during the investigation. (Office of the State Attorney 18th Judicial Circuit)
“No words can capture the depth of pain that comes with losing your daughter to murder,” said Fiengo’s mother Sarah Schweickert. “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.”
Faison’s family also gave testimony to the jury, asking for the 23-year-old to be sentenced to life instead of the death penalty.
Circuit Judge Donna Goerner will make the final decision on Faison’s sentence at another hearing on Dec. 5.
