ODESSA, TX – A Texas man was sentenced to 18 years in prison after admitting to causing the death of his 8-year-old daughter by forcing her to perform grueling exercises under extreme heat as a form of punishment.
Daniel Schwarz, 48, pled guilty to manslaughter charges on Thursday following the tragic death of his adopted daughter, Jaylin Anne, the Ector County District Attorney announced. The court’s decision held Schwarz accountable for the incident that resulted in his daughter’s dehydration and death.
The tragic event unfolded on August 29, 2020, when police responded to a call at the Schwarz residence and discovered Jaylin unresponsive. The child had been forced to jump on a trampoline under a blazing sun, enduring temperatures reaching 110 degrees. Investigators revealed that she was deprived of food and prevented from drinking water as part of the ordeal.
Moreover, Jaylin’s stepmother, Ashley Schwarz, 38, faced her own legal reckoning earlier this year. Convicted of capital murder, Ashley was sentenced in May to life imprisonment without parole, underscoring the severity of the crime.
The district attorney highlighted the collaborative effort between local police and prosecutors in achieving this outcome. The aim was to deliver justice for Jaylin, whose life was cut devastatingly short.
In the aftermath, an autopsy confirmed the young girl succumbed to dehydration, with her death classified as a homicide. During the investigation, authorities determined the trampoline’s surface had reached dangerous temperatures, further exacerbating Jaylin’s condition.
The painful reality of the situation was compounded by her biological mother’s efforts to regain custody. Alysha Anderton expressed sorrow over her daughter’s fate, revealing her ongoing struggles to re-establish a connection with both Jaylin and her sister, who also lived with the Schwarz family at that time.
Jaylin’s short life was remembered for her vibrancy and passions. Described in her obituary as an energetic young soul, she enjoyed activities like horseback riding and ice skating and held a keen interest in history and science.
As the community comes to terms with the loss, the case serves as a sobering reminder of the vulnerable position of children in guardianship arrangements and the dire consequences of abuse.
