This case from Florida is a heartbreaking reminder of how precious life is — both born and unborn. Donovan Faison, a 23-year-old man, has been found guilty of two murders. He killed his 18-year-old girlfriend, Kaylin Fiengo, and their unborn son. Why? Because Kaylin refused to have an abortion. Now, the court is deciding whether Faison should receive the death penalty.
The facts are hard to hear, but we must face them. Faison lured Kaylin to a park in Sanford, Florida. He shot her in the head as she sat in her car. She was only 18 years old and pregnant. This was not just a crime of passion. It was planned. Prosecutors showed text messages where Faison said he was angry with Kaylin for not ending the pregnancy. He even said he would “crop her out.”
The jury found Faison guilty of two counts of first-degree murder. Eleven of the twelve jurors voted for the death penalty. Now, Judge Donna Goerner will decide whether Faison will be executed. The final sentencing is set for December 5.
Let’s be clear: this is not just a story about crime. It’s a story about life and the Constitution. Our Founding Fathers believed strongly in the right to life. The Declaration of Independence says that all people are “endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,” and the first of these is “Life.” That means every life — including the unborn.
Some people try to argue that unborn children don’t count. But in this case, the court recognized that Kaylin’s unborn child was a victim. That’s important. It means that life in the womb has value. It means that when someone kills a pregnant woman, they are taking two lives — not one.
This case also shows the danger of a culture that treats unborn life as something optional. When we tell young people that life in the womb doesn’t matter, we should not be surprised when someone acts as if that life can be thrown away. Faison didn’t just take a life — he took two. And he did it because he thought he had the right to make that choice for someone else.
But the law says otherwise. In Florida, and across much of the country, unborn children are protected under homicide laws. These laws are just. They reflect the truth that human life begins before birth.
Now, some may question the death penalty. That’s a fair debate. But the Constitution allows it when used carefully and fairly. In this case, the jury weighed the facts. They heard from Kaylin’s mother, who spoke with deep sorrow about the hole left in her life. She said, “Every day I wake up and face a world that no longer has her smile, her laughter, her hugs.” That pain is real. And justice demands a response.
The state asked for the death penalty because of “aggravating factors.” That means the crime was especially cruel, calculated, and cold. Florida law allows for the harshest punishment in such cases. The jury agreed.
We should pray for Kaylin’s family. No court ruling can bring her back. But the law must still speak clearly: Life is sacred. And when someone takes life — especially so violently and selfishly — the law must defend the innocent.
This case is a reminder that every baby in the womb is a person, not a problem. And no one has the right to decide otherwise. Our nation stands on the belief that life is a gift from God, not a choice for others to destroy.
Let justice be done, and let us continue to fight for a culture that values life at every stage.
