A Florida man named Travis Ray Thompson has been sentenced to life in prison after taking the life of a 2-year-old. Thompson was arrested in 2022 as the prime suspect for the murder of his ex’s daughter. An attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit noted how even a life sentence was “too good” for the murderer.
Thompson was entrusted with the responsibility of looking after the 2-year-old Jacklyn by her mother. The mother of the toddler had broken up with Travis a week before the incident. Jacklyn’s mother received a call from her ex, 25 minutes after she left, informing her that something was wrong with the 2-year-old.
Man Severed Spine of Ex-Girlfriend’s 2-Year-Old Daughter Just Days After She Broke Up with Him.
On May 2, 2022, in Marion County, Florida, 27-year-old Travis Ray Thompson was entrusted with the care of his ex-girlfriend’s 2-year-old daughter, Jacklyn Schwingel, while the child’s… pic.twitter.com/cyYYjXKAR9
— C.I.A (@jarwbe) June 6, 2025
The woman who was on her way to work rushed back to see her daughter, “lifeless.” She told the sheriff’s office that Jacklyn was found with “a shallow pulse and a distended abdomen.” The mother and Thompson rushed the toddler to the hospital.
She was pronounced dead after medical professionals tried their best to save the child’s life. The hospital also informed the sheriff’s office and the Department of Children and Families as soon as they found out that the toddler had suffered internal bleeding.
When interrogated, Travis claimed that he was in another room when Jacklyn got injured following a loud noise from the other room. A report from the Medical Examiner’s Office revealed that the child suffered traumatic injuries to her torso. Her spine was found to be severed, and she suffered internal bleeding in her abdomen, as per the press release.
#BREAKING – #Ocala-area man charged with 1st-degree murder after female toddler with broken back died at AdventHealth Waterman in #Tavares in May. Travis Ray Thompson, 25, told investigators he didn’t know what happened, according to @MCSOFlorida #news13marion @mynews13 pic.twitter.com/IxvW4FW7uH
— Kevin P. Connolly (@KevinPConnolly_) September 9, 2022
“Based on the severity and nature of the break, it was determined that Thompson applied significant, gradual force to the victim’s upper and lower body and bent her backward beyond her natural range of motion until her back broke,” an attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit noted.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office concluded that the toddler was physically abused by Thompson, which “resulted in her spine being completely severed.” The man was arrested on September 2, 2022, and admitted to the Marion County Jail. Thompson, in turn, was sentenced to life in prison for the abuse and murder of the 2-year-old girl.
Bill Gladson, who is a state attorney, called Thompson a “monster” who stole an innocent child’s life. “Life in prison is too good for this kind of evil,” Gadson added.
Billy Woods, Sheriff of Marion County, gave credit to the major crimes detectives for relentlessly working on this case by adding how “proud” he is of them. “Their dedication helped secure justice for an innocent child,” he added.
