A nightmare unfolded in Round Lake Beach, Illinois, when three young children—Bryant, Cassidy, and Gideon—were found drowned in their father Jason Karels’ home, a father now charged with first-degree murder. Debra Karels, the mother, spoke publicly for the first time, her grief raw and uncontainable, describing the joy, innocence, and love of her children, and the incomprehensible betrayal that turned what should have been a simple visit into a scene of horror. Authorities revealed shocking details, including a letter stating, “If I can’t have them, neither can you,” a high-speed chase, and the deliberate, premeditated nature of the crime, leaving the community stunned, searching for answers, and mourning a loss too terrible to imagine. 👉 Read the full story in the comment below ⬇️

IF I CAN’T HAVE THEM, NEITHER CAN YOU: Tragedy Strikes a Family in Round Lake Beach

The quiet streets of Round Lake Beach, Illinois, were shattered by an unspeakable tragedy that has left a community grappling with disbelief, sorrow, and horror, as news emerged that three young children—aged five, three, and two—had been drowned at the hands of their own father, in what authorities are now calling a shocking and premeditated crime.

Debra Karels, the mother of Bryant, Cassidy, and Gideon, spoke publicly for the first time on Wednesday, two days after the harrowing discovery, her voice trembling with grief as she tried to convey the magnitude of the loss, the love she held for her children, and the unfathomable betrayal she endured at the hands of her estranged husband, Jason Karels, 35, who has now been charged with their murders.

“He took them away from me, because he knew that would hurt me the most,” Debra said, her words cutting through the silence that had settled over the municipal building where neighbors, friends, and concerned community members had gathered to pray, light candles, and offer what comfort they could to a mother confronting a nightmare beyond imagination.

Debra described her children as three beautiful little souls who did not deserve the fate that had befallen them, each with their own distinct personality, each a light in the world now extinguished far too soon.

Her eldest, Bryant, at five years old, she recalled as “super-duper smart,” a boy who loved Sonic the Hedgehog, video games, and always reassured her with words of affection, saying, “Don’t worry, mommy, I’ll always take care of you.”

Cassidy, age three, was remembered as “the sweetest girl in the world,” while two-year-old Gideon was described as “momma’s boy,” a child whose presence had filled her home with laughter and warmth, a little boy whose life was abruptly ended in a horrific act of violence.

Prosecutors revealed that Jason Karels had given a detailed statement on video, admitting to drowning each of his children, one at a time, in the bathtub at his Round Lake Beach home.

The act, premeditated and deliberate, has left investigators, family, and the public struggling to comprehend the depths of his actions, as well as the mental state that led to such a devastating crime.

Debra explained the circumstances leading up to the tragedy, noting that she had separated from Jason a month earlier, concerned for her own safety and well-being, as well as for the welfare of the children.

“He constantly played games, and neglected this family,” she said, reflecting on the strain that had existed in their home, and her decision to allow the children to visit their father over the past weekend, believing it was important for them to maintain contact, despite the warning signs she now wishes she had heeded.

On Monday, what was intended as a routine visit became a nightmare. When Debra arrived to pick up her children, she found them lifeless on a bed inside Jason’s home, a scene that shattered her world and plunged the family into unimaginable grief.

Authorities later discovered a letter written by Jason inside the home, a chilling message that read, “If I can’t have them, neither can you,” with prosecutors confirming that he was referring to his own children, a statement that has horrified neighbors, investigators, and the wider public alike.

The murders occurred amid ongoing divorce proceedings, a period of tension and instability that ultimately culminated in an act of violence that defies comprehension.

Debra spoke of the faith and hope she had held, trusting that the father-daughter and father-son bonds could remain intact, believing that the love between parent and child would endure, even through conflict—but that faith was cruelly shattered in an instant.

“Nothing mattered but those children, and he knew that.

He knew that the children were the most important thing to me, and he took them away from me, knowing it would hurt me the most,” she said, as tears streamed down her face, and the reality of the loss became nearly unbearable.

Jason Karels’ actions escalated beyond the home, as authorities detailed a high-speed pursuit across several highways, culminating in a crash along Interstate 80 near Water Street in Joliet, where Jason attempted to evade police and, according to reports, had made prior attempts at suicide.

Police confirmed that he admitted to killing the children, and his capture involved both tactical coordination and forensic investigation, as they sought to untangle the events that led to such an unthinkable tragedy.

A growing memorial outside the home where the children died has become a focal point for community grief, with balloons, candles, flowers, and stuffed animals left in tribute to Bryant, Cassidy, and Gideon, as neighbors and friends attempt to process the loss and offer solace to Debra and her family.

Investigators are awaiting toxicological results to determine whether the children were under the influence of any substances at the time of their deaths, though authorities noted no other signs of trauma were present on the young victims, emphasizing the chilling nature of a crime carried out solely by the father’s hand.

Debra’s courage in speaking publicly has also highlighted the importance of awareness around domestic issues, mental health struggles, and the warning signs that can precede tragic events, offering a solemn reminder to families and communities about the fragility of safety and the need for vigilance.

“This could happen to anyone. Any relationship, any family, it can happen. And people need to know where to go for help before it’s too late,” Debra said, as she confronted a grief so profound it defies simple words, and yet spoke to the hope that awareness and intervention might prevent similar tragedies elsewhere.

As Jason Karels remains in custody, held on charges of first-degree murder for each of his three children, the case continues to unfold, drawing attention to the intersections of domestic violence, mental health, and the devastating consequences of acts carried out by a loved one.

For Debra, her children’s memory lives on in the hearts of all who mourn their loss, in the community’s collective shock and grief, and in the ongoing pursuit of justice that seeks to hold accountable the individual who perpetrated an act that has left scars impossible to erase.

Even amid unspeakable loss, Debra finds some solace in faith, envisioning a future where she may be reunited with Bryant, Cassidy, and Gideon, a hope that sustains her through the unimaginable pain and ensures that their lives, brief though they were, will not be forgotten.

The story of Round Lake Beach is a stark reminder of the fragility of life, the consequences of unchecked mental health struggles, and the importance of vigilance in protecting the most vulnerable, as the community continues to grapple with the enormity of a father’s actions that destroyed the lives of three innocent children.

Debra Karels’ words, full of heartbreak, courage, and warning, echo beyond Round Lake Beach, challenging all who hear them to consider the impact of domestic conflict, the signs of danger, and the need to act before tragedy strikes.

The case continues to unfold, with authorities pursuing investigations into the circumstances surrounding the murders, Jason Karels’ mental health, and the sequence of events that culminated in an act that has left a community in shock, a mother in profound grief, and three children gone forever.