A Seminole County jury delivered a resounding recommendation for the death penalty on Thursday, following the conviction of Donovan L. Faison, 23, in the 2022 death of his 18-year-old girlfriend, Kaylin Fiengo. The panel voted 11-1 in favor of capital punishment during the penalty phase, after finding Faison guilty earlier in the week of first-degree murder, killing an unborn child, and burglary with a firearm. The case, which has gripped Central Florida for nearly three years, centers on Faison’s reaction to Fiengo’s decision to continue her pregnancy, a choice that prosecutors argued led to the fatal encounter at a Sanford park.

Fiengo, a vibrant young mother already raising a one-year-old son named Ace, was discovered unresponsive in her parked car at Coastline Park on November 11, 2022. A Sanford police officer on routine patrol noticed the vehicle around 11 p.m. and found her in the driver’s seat, surrounded by personal items including an ultrasound image. Emergency responders pronounced her dead at the scene, and an autopsy later confirmed she was approximately 12 weeks pregnant. The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office launched an exhaustive investigation, processing evidence from the site and reviewing digital communications that painted a picture of escalating tension between the couple.

Text messages exchanged in the days leading up to the incident became central to the prosecution’s case. Fiengo had shared photos of two positive pregnancy tests with Faison, prompting a swift response from him: “Abortion!!!” According to trial testimony, the pair had engaged in multiple discussions about her options, with Faison expressing frustration and pressure amid his own circumstances. At the time, he was living with another woman who suspected infidelity, adding layers of complexity to their relationship. Fiengo, described by family as determined and forgiving, stood firm in her resolve to proceed with the pregnancy, confiding in friends about her excitement for the future.

Prosecutors from the State Attorney’s Office, led by Assistant State Attorney Ryan Schiro, portrayed the events as a premeditated tragedy. They presented evidence that Faison arranged to meet Fiengo at the park under the pretense of reconciliation, only for the encounter to end disastrously. A single bullet casing recovered near the vehicle linked back to a firearm associated with Faison, and forensic analysis of his phone placed him in the vicinity shortly before the discovery. “This was not an accident or a moment of passion,” Schiro told jurors during closing arguments. “It was a calculated decision that ended two lives full of promise.”

Faison’s defense team, headed by attorney Michael Crotty, acknowledged the gravity of the loss but urged the jury to consider mitigating factors, including Faison’s youth, lack of prior criminal history, and remorse expressed in post-arrest statements. They highlighted his unstable upbringing in Orlando, marked by family challenges and limited access to education beyond high school. Witnesses for the defense included a former employer who described Faison as reliable and a cousin who spoke to his struggles with mental health. Despite these efforts, the jury deliberated for less than a day before opting overwhelmingly for the harshest penalty available under Florida law.

The penalty phase featured poignant victim impact statements from Fiengo’s loved ones, underscoring the profound void left behind. Her mother, Lisa Fiengo, addressed the court with a trembling voice: “Kaylin was our light—her laughter filled every room, and her kindness touched everyone she met.” Tatiana Fiengo, Kaylin’s aunt, echoed the sentiment, calling her niece “brave and funny,” and noting how the family gatherings feel incomplete without her presence. Kaylin’s grandmother and father also testified, sharing memories of holidays and everyday joys shattered by the loss. These accounts, delivered over two days, appeared to resonate deeply with the jurors, tipping the scales toward the death recommendation.

Under Florida’s capital sentencing guidelines, the jury’s advisory vote carries significant weight, but the final decision rests with Circuit Judge Jessica Recksiedler. A formal sentencing hearing has yet to be scheduled, but legal experts anticipate it could occur within the next few months, allowing time for additional briefs and potential appeals groundwork. If imposed, the death penalty would mark one of the rare instances in Seminole County in recent years, reflecting the state’s ongoing commitment to severe penalties in cases involving vulnerable victims. Florida executed 11 individuals in 2024 alone, maintaining its position as one of the most active death penalty states.

The investigation into Fiengo’s death spanned 10 months, involving over 50 interviews and meticulous digital forensics. Sanford Police Chief Cecil Smith praised his team’s diligence: “Our investigators left no stone unturned, ensuring every piece of evidence was thoroughly examined to deliver justice for Kaylin and her family.” Faison’s arrest in September 2023 came after a tip led authorities to his residence, where they recovered the implicated firearm. He was held without bond throughout the pretrial period, during which he maintained his innocence through counsel.

Fiengo’s story extends beyond the courtroom, serving as a stark reminder of the challenges young parents face. At 18, she balanced motherhood with aspirations in cosmetology, often sharing glimpses of her life on social media—photos of Ace’s milestones and dreams of expanding her family. Friends recalled her as resilient, having navigated early parenthood with grace despite limited support. The unborn child, a boy, was to be named after her late grandfather, a detail that amplified the family’s grief. In the wake of the verdict, a memorial scholarship in Kaylin’s name was announced by local women’s groups, aimed at supporting expectant mothers pursuing education.

This case has sparked broader conversations on reproductive rights and relationship dynamics in Florida, especially amid evolving state laws on abortion access. While not directly tied to policy debates, Fiengo’s determination to carry her pregnancy highlighted personal autonomy in the face of pressure. Advocacy organizations like the National Network of Abortion Funds noted a rise in similar tensions post-Roe v. Wade overturn, with resources strained for those seeking alternatives. In Seminole County, community outreach has intensified, with seminars on healthy partnerships and crisis intervention now standard in high schools.

Faison’s path to this point was unremarkable on the surface—a high school dropout who worked odd jobs in construction and retail. Born in Orlando, he grew up in a blended family with siblings who described him as charismatic but impulsive. Court records show no prior arrests, but psychological evaluations during trial revealed untreated anxiety exacerbated by financial woes. His relationship with Fiengo began casually in early 2022, blossoming into something more serious until the pregnancy news strained it irreparably.

As the legal process advances, the Fiengo family focuses on healing. Tatiana Fiengo told reporters outside the courthouse: “We’ve waited so long for this moment, but no verdict brings her back. We’re channeling our pain into making sure her story helps others.” Support poured in from across the community, with vigils at Coastline Park drawing hundreds who lit candles and shared stories of young women lost too soon. Ace, now three, is being raised by his grandmother, with family vowing to honor his mother’s legacy through tales of her unwavering spirit.

The jury’s near-unanimous stance signals a societal intolerance for such profound losses, particularly when they involve expectant lives. As Judge Recksiedler weighs the recommendation, the case stands as a testament to the justice system’s role in addressing irreparable harms. For Florida, where capital cases often divide public opinion, this outcome may influence future prosecutions, emphasizing premeditation and victim vulnerability. In the quiet parks of Sanford, Kaylin Fiengo’s memory endures—not as a statistic, but as a beacon of courage amid adversity.

Ultimately, this tragedy compels reflection on support systems for youth navigating parenthood. Resources like Florida’s Healthy Start program, which provides prenatal care and counseling, have seen increased enrollment following high-profile stories like this. Experts urge open dialogues in relationships, stressing that choices around family planning deserve respect and guidance, not coercion. As the sentencing date approaches, the Fiengo family’s resolve remains unbroken, a quiet force pushing for change in a world that needs it most.