The weight of a secret, a life growing within, became a catalyst for unimaginable tragedy in Florida. Donovan Faison, 23, now faces the ultimate consequence for a desperate act fueled by anger and control, a decision that extinguished two lives at once.
In 2022, Kaylin Fiengo, just 18 years old, shared with Faison the news of her pregnancy, a moment meant for joy twisted into something terrifying. Her simple text – a photo of two positive pregnancy tests – was met with a single, chilling word: “Abortion!!!” The message revealed a darkness lurking beneath the surface.
Prosecutors painted a picture of a man unraveling, consumed by fury and the fear of exposure. Faison was already entangled in another relationship, one where suspicions of infidelity were growing, and the prospect of fatherhood felt like a suffocating pressure.
Fiengo’s refusal to end the pregnancy ignited a chilling resolve within Faison. A text to a friend, a vow made “on my brothers grave,” revealed his intent: “I’m gonna crop her out.” The words weren’t about a photograph; they were a horrifying promise of eliminating her from his life.
He lured her to Coastline Park in Sanford under false pretenses, a calculated deception that led to a brutal act of violence. A single gunshot ended Fiengo’s life as she sat in her car, silencing not only her voice but the potential life she carried.
The scene investigators discovered was stark and heartbreaking: a single bullet casing, a haunting reminder of the violence, and an ultrasound image, a poignant symbol of the future stolen. These remnants spoke volumes where words failed.
The trial laid bare the digital trail of Faison’s escalating desperation, the damning text messages revealing his anger and premeditation. The jury, after careful deliberation, recommended the death penalty, a 11-1 vote reflecting the gravity of his crimes.
The courtroom became a space for raw, unfiltered grief as Fiengo’s family shared their pain. Her mother, Sarah Schweickert, described a wound that would never heal, a world forever dimmed by the loss of her daughter’s smile and laughter.
“No words can capture the depth of pain,” Schweickert stated, her voice heavy with sorrow. “Every day I wake up and face a world that no longer has her…The grief never leaves – it sits in my chest like a weight that will never go away.”
Even Faison’s family pleaded for leniency, urging the jury to consider a life sentence instead of execution. Their testimony underscored the devastating ripple effect of his actions, the pain extending far beyond his victim.
The final decision now rests with Circuit Judge Donna Goerner, who will deliver Faison’s sentence at a hearing on December 5th. The case stands as a chilling testament to the destructive power of control, the tragic consequences of desperation, and the enduring pain of loss.
