Sanford, FL – A Florida jury has recommended the death penalty for a man convicted of murdering his pregnant girlfriend in what prosecutors described as an “execution-style killing” after she refused to get an abortion. Donovan L. Faison, 23, was found guilty of first-degree murder and killing an unborn child in the 2022 shooting death of 18-year-old Kaylin Fiengo.
The Incident: Pregnant Teen Found Shot Dead in Parked Car
On November 11, 2022, Sanford police officers discovered Fiengo’s body inside a car parked at Coastline Park, about 25 miles north of Orlando. She had been shot once in the head. Investigators later confirmed that Fiengo was pregnant, having just completed her first trimester.
Detectives determined that Fiengo went to meet Faison that night following repeated arguments about her pregnancy. Prosecutors said Faison lured her to the park under the pretense of meeting, then shot her at point-blank range, leaving her dead in the driver’s seat.
“This was an execution-style killing,” prosecutor Stewart Stone told jurors. “Cold, calculated, and premeditated.”
Investigation and Evidence: Texts Revealed Premeditated Motive
During the 10-month investigation, Sanford police and the State Attorney’s Office uncovered extensive digital evidence showing Faison’s motive and premeditation.
Prosecutors said Faison “erupted” in anger after Fiengo sent him photos of two positive pregnancy tests, proving she was carrying his child. Faison allegedly accused her of lying and responded with a text that read “Abortion!!!”, showing his determination to end the pregnancy.
Investigators also discovered text messages to a friend where Faison wrote, “On my brother’s grave, I’m gonna crop her out.”
“Phones are an extension of your mind and your body,” prosecutor Domenick Leo said during closing arguments. “He said he was going to do it, and then he did it. The police got the right guy.”
Police arrested Faison in August 2023 after reviewing forensic and cellular data linking him directly to the scene. He was taken into custody without incident.
Court Proceedings and Jury Recommendation
On Monday, a Seminole County jury found Faison guilty of first-degree murder and killing an unborn child, after hearing evidence that met multiple aggravating factors under Florida law. These included murdering a child younger than 12 and the heinous and premeditated nature of the crime.
By Thursday, the same jury voted 11–1 in favor of recommending the death penalty, describing the act as deliberate and heartless.
Under Florida’s 2023 death penalty law, jurors can recommend execution with a minimum 8–4 vote, the lowest threshold in the nation. The law was changed after jurors in the Parkland school shooting case failed to reach a unanimous decision for execution.
A judge will determine Faison’s final sentence on December 5, 2025.
Family Reactions: “A Weight That Never Goes Away”
During sentencing proceedings, Fiengo’s mother, Sarah Schweickert, delivered an emotional victim impact statement, describing the devastating loss of her daughter.
“No words can capture the depth of pain that comes with losing your daughter to murder,” she said. “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.”
Fiengo’s father, Ricky Fiengo, spoke shortly after the murder, calling the tragedy “devastating” and emphasizing his daughter’s devotion to her child.
“It’s going to take a village to raise that child and let him know how great his mother was,” he said.
The victim’s family described Kaylin Fiengo as “vivacious, loving, funny, and caring.” She had graduated high school early while raising her one-year-old son, proudly wearing a graduation cap that read “Mommy did it.”
Prosecutors and Police Statements
Sanford Police Chief Cecil Smith called the investigation “exhaustive” and praised detectives for ensuring every detail was accounted for.
“This beautiful young woman and mother was taken from this world far too soon, and in a horrific way,” Smith said. “We hope that today’s verdict brings the slightest amount of peace for Kaylin’s family and the young son she left behind.”
Prosecutors said the evidence left no doubt that Faison acted with intent, citing his incriminating messages and calm demeanor before and after the shooting.
Background and Legal Context
The killing of a pregnant woman and her unborn child qualifies as a capital offense in Florida, eligible for the death penalty under state statute §921.141. Faison’s case marks one of the first instances since the new 8–4 jury recommendation law was enacted.
Legal experts say the case underscores how domestic violence, reproductive control, and premeditated murder often intersect, particularly when a woman’s decision to continue a pregnancy leads to fatal violence.
Conclusion
The jury’s recommendation for death reflects the profound brutality of the murder of 18-year-old Kaylin Fiengo and her unborn child. As Faison awaits formal sentencing, the community of Sanford continues to grieve a young mother whose life — and her baby’s — were ended in a senseless act of violence.
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