Round Lake Beach murders: Jason Karels sentenced to life in prison for drowning his 3 children

ROUND LAKE BEACH, Ill. (WLS) -- A Round Lake Beach father was sentenced to life in prison without parole Friday for murdering his three children in 2022.

Jason Karels pleaded guilty, but mentally ill, to the murders in December, according to the Lake County (IL) State's Attorney's Office.

Statements from the children's family were read in court, describing them as innocent young lives who did not deserve what Karels did to them.

Judge Booras accepted the negotiated sentencing and described Karels' actions as "sickening" and "despicable."

Prosecutors said he drowned the children - ages 2, 3 and 5 - in June of 2022. Their mother found the bodies at Karel's Round Lake Beach home at 200 East Camden Lane.

Officers said Karels wrote a note reading, "If I can't have them, neither can you."

Chief of the Domestic Violence Division Eric Kalata described Karels' actions as "brutal, evil, and sinister."

Karels had previously pleaded not guilty to the murders before changing his plea.

RELATED | Mother of 3 kids killed in Round Lake Beach home speaks out, 'My children were amazing'