Travis Ray Thompson, a 27-year-old man from Florida, has received a life sentence after the tragic death of his ex-girlfriend’s 2-year-old daughter, Jacklyn Schwingel, who suffered a severed spine during a horrifying incident.

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Uncovering the Details Surrounding the Death of 2-Year-Old Jacklyn Schwingel

On May 3, 2022, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office received urgent notification that Schwingel had been transported to the emergency room in a dire state. Despite the medical team’s valiant efforts to save her life, she tragically succumbed to her severe injuries shortly thereafter, highlighting the critical nature of child safety and the dire consequences of violence.

According to reports, Schwingel’s mother stated that she had entrusted her daughter into Thompson’s care while she went to work. Just twenty-five minutes later, she received a distressing phone call alerting her that something was gravely wrong with her child, reflecting the devastating unpredictability of domestic situations.

“Jacklyn was lifeless, with a shallow pulse and a distended abdomen,” the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office disclosed in a statement shared on social media, underscoring the severity of the situation.

In a frantic rush, Schwingel’s mother and Thompson transported the unresponsive toddler to a nearby hospital when she suddenly stopped breathing, emphasizing the extreme urgency and emotional turmoil of that moment.

Legal Consequences for Travis Ray Thompson in the Tragic Death of Jacklyn Schwingel

As reported, medical professionals suspected internal bleeding in the 2-year-old and promptly notified both law enforcement and the Department of Children and Families. Thompson, in his account to authorities, claimed that he was in another room when he heard a loud noise and discovered the child unresponsive, raising questions about his presence and actions during the incident.

“Despite being the only person left with the victim, Thompson claimed he did not know how the victim became injured,” the attorney’s office reiterated in their statement, casting doubt on his narrative and raising concerns about accountability.

On September 1, 2022, the Medical Examiner’s Office officially determined the cause of death for the 2-year-old:

“…traumatic injuries to the victim’s torso with a severing of her spine and internal bleeding behind her abdomen,” the report confirmed, shedding light on the horrific nature of the child’s injuries as assessed by medical experts.

The investigation revealed that Thompson had applied significant force to Jacklyn’s body, allegedly bending her backward beyond her natural range of motion until her spine fractured, an act of unimaginable brutality that shocked the community.

Following these revelations, Thompson was arrested and charged with First Degree Murder. In early June, he was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. According to the New York Post, prosecutors indicated that Thompson had been in a relationship with the 2-year-old’s mother, which had ended only a week before this tragic event occurred, adding a layer of complexity to the case.

WARNING: This post contains graphic descriptions of violence & child abuse.

Travis Ray Thompson, 27, of Florida, will spend the rest of his life behind bars after being convicted of first-degree murder in the horrific May 2022 death of 2-year-old Jacklyn Schwingel. Jurors… pic.twitter.com/R06AwNw97q

— True Crime Updates (@TrueCrimeUpdat) June 8, 2025

Additional Tragic Cases of Violence in Florida Highlighting Child Safety Concerns

Travis Ray Thompson is not the only individual in Florida facing serious charges related to violent crimes against children. As reported by The Shade Room, on May 30, authorities were called to a residence while searching for Ra’Myl “Poppie” Pierre, a child who had not attended school since mid-May, raising alarms about his welfare.

Upon arriving, deputies were led by Pierre’s mother to her son’s lifeless body. She reportedly claimed to have attempted to “exorcise demons out of the child’s body,” a statement that has raised significant concerns about mental health and parental responsibility in tragic circumstances.

“When the child had stopped moving and basically passed away, at that point, she felt the child had been released of those demons and was waiting for him to basically come back at that time,” the sheriff’s office conveyed, highlighting the disturbing mindset that can accompany such tragic incidents.

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