OCALA, FL – A Florida man has been sentenced to life in prison following his conviction for the brutal murder of a 2-year-old girl who suffered a catastrophic spinal injury while under his care. The devastating incident occurred in May 2022, shortly after the girl’s mother ended a relationship with the man.

Travis Ray Thompson, 27, was convicted of first-degree murder in the death of Jacklyn Schwingel. His trial saw jurors take less than two hours to reach a guilty verdict. Judge Barbara Kissner handed down the life sentence.

Authorities described the crime’s details as particularly harrowing. According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Thompson inflicted significant injuries on young Jacklyn, leaving her spine “completely severed.” After inflicting the injuries, he delayed seeking medical help for 30 minutes.

The sheriff’s office investigation revealed that the injury was caused by the application of considerable force, bending the child’s body in a traumatic manner with a fulcrum point on her lower back. The autopsy confirmed a “disarticulation of the lumbar spine” resulting from these actions, which also led to extensive internal bleeding.

The situation unfolded when Jacklyn’s mother stayed overnight in Thompson’s camper to assist him with a car repair scheduled for the following day. After the girl’s mother went to work, Jacklyn was left in Thompson’s care. He later claimed that while using the bathroom, he heard a thud and found the girl unresponsive.

When law enforcement arrived, Thompson asserted his innocence, denying any responsibility or knowledge of the cause of Jacklyn’s death. Yet, investigators uncovered evidence suggesting a volatile relationship between Thompson and the girl’s mother, including hostile text messages.

Hospital staff flagged the severity of Jacklyn’s injuries upon her arrival at AdventHealth Waterman in Tavares, a small city near Orlando. This alert prompted the sheriff’s deputies to launch a thorough investigation, leading to Thompson’s arrest and subsequent trial.

State Attorney Bill Gladson commended the jury’s decision and the life sentence, emphasizing the importance of justice for the young victim. Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods also praised the diligence of his detectives, crediting their meticulous work for the conviction.