by Sanford, Florida — A Florida man has been convicted of first-degree murder for luring his teenage girlfriend to a park and fatally shooting her after learning she was pregnant and refusing to have an abortion.
According to the Seminole County State Attorney’s Office, 23-year-old Donovan Faison was found guilty on charges of first-degree murder, killing an unborn child, and burglary in connection with the 2022 death of 18-year-old Kaylin Fiengo.
Prosecutors said the young woman thought she was meeting Faison to celebrate her pregnancy, but instead, he ambushed her at a remote park and shot her in the head.
A Deadly Encounter at Coastline Park
On November 11, 2022, officers with the Sanford Police Department responded to Coastline Park, where they discovered Fiengo dead inside her car with a fatal gunshot wound to the head. An ultrasound image of her unborn baby was found just a few feet away from the vehicle.
Investigators quickly identified Faison as a suspect after uncovering text messages that revealed growing tension between the couple following the pregnancy announcement.
When Fiengo first sent Faison a photo of two positive pregnancy tests, he accused her of lying and texted back, “Abortion!!!” according to Matt Reed, public information officer for the 18th Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office.
Chilling Texts Reveal the Killer’s Intent
As the trial unfolded, prosecutors introduced a series of text messages showing Faison’s anger and frustration.
Faison was reportedly living with another woman who suspected him of cheating, and he felt “pressured and trapped” by the pregnancy, prosecutors said.
In one particularly damning message, Faison texted a friend after Fiengo refused to terminate the pregnancy:
“On my brother’s grave, I’m gonna crop her out,” a phrase prosecutors said foretold his violent intentions.
Shortly afterward, he convinced Fiengo to meet him at the park — under the guise of reconciliation or celebration — before shooting her in the head and fleeing.
Building the Case
The case remained unsolved for nearly ten months until investigators pieced together digital evidence, witness statements, and forensic data that linked Faison to the scene.
A friend of Fiengo told detectives that the young mother-to-be had mentioned she was going to meet Faison at Coastline Park shortly before her death — a statement that proved crucial in connecting him to the murder.
Prosecutors also relied heavily on cell phone records and the text trail showing premeditation, arguing that the killing was not a moment of rage but a calculated execution meant to silence Fiengo and erase responsibility for the pregnancy.
During closing arguments, Assistant State Attorney Domenick Leo told jurors,
“He said he was going to do it — then he did it. The police got the right guy.”
Facing the Death Penalty
After the jury delivered a guilty verdict, the court immediately moved into the death penalty phase of the trial, which began on Wednesday, October 29.
The sentencing phase is expected to last at least two days, during which the jury will determine whether Faison should face life imprisonment or capital punishment.
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Legal experts say the case could serve as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by pregnant women in abusive relationships, especially when partners seek to control reproductive decisions through violence.
A Community in Mourning
Family members and friends of Kaylin Fiengo have expressed heartbreak over the verdict, describing her as a kind, bright young woman who was excited to become a mother.
Advocates for victims of domestic violence have used the case to call for greater awareness and support systems for women experiencing relationship-related coercion or threats during pregnancy.
Authorities have encouraged individuals facing similar situations to reach out for help from local organizations and hotlines that specialize in domestic abuse and pregnancy safety.
What are your thoughts on whether prosecutors should pursue the death penalty in this case? Share your perspective in the comments at race-day-live.com.
