Texas girl, 8, dies of dehydration after couple forces her to jump non-stop on trampoline in 110-degree heat
ODESSA, TEXAS: An 8-year-old girl died of dehydration after her 'guardians' had allegedly forced her to jump non-stop on a trampoline in 110-degree heat. 44-year-old Daniel Schwarz and Ashley Schwarz, also 44, the guardians of the child, were arrested and charged on Monday, October 12, in Odessa, Texas. The couple is facing capital murder charges in the child's death, The Sun reports.
The authorities had "observed" the young girl when they had arrived at the couple's home for a medical call on August 29 in the 4300 block of Locust Avenue. The child had been pronounced dead at the scene. The Odessa Police Department issued a news release on Monday and said, "Investigation revealed that the eight-year-old child had been punished and was not allowed to eat breakfast and was required to jump on the trampoline without stopping for an extended period of time." "Further investigation revealed that the 8-year-old child was not allowed to drink any water because she was not jumping," the news release stated. According to KOSA, family members and relatives had identified the child as Jaylin and revealed that the Schwarz's were her guardians.
An OPD spokesperson, Cpl. Steve LeSueur, was unable to confirm whether the child was in foster care. A search warrant was conducted after which authorities found that the trampoline temperature had been around 110 degrees. The police also found the ground temperature to be 150 degrees. The authorities revealed that an autopsy report stated that Jaylin's cause of death had been dehydration and the manner of death was listed as a homicide. The couple was booked into the Ector County Law Enforcement Center as per jail records.
The Odessa Police stated, "Based on the facts and circumstances presented during the investigation, capital murder warrants were obtained for both Daniel Schwarz and Ashley Schwarz, who were charged and arrested accordingly and transported to the Ector County Law Enforcement Center."
Many social media users commented on the Odess Police's Facebook post in outrage and anger. One such user had written, "Death penalty for both! I am glad Texas is a death penalty state just wish they weren't on death row for 20 or more years. How long did it take the little girl to die! Get on with the execution."
Another social media user had added, "The fact that this was a guardian and not her bio mother that has worked her hardest to get her children back makes this the worst story. CpS needs to send her little sister home!! They have zero right to keep her from her mother!! This little girl would be alive if she was with her mother and not this horrible people! Disgusting behavior from the ones that are supposed to protect children! #justiceforjaylin." "Absolutely terrible! Were there any investigations on the welfare of the child prior? It sounds like ongoing abuse! Hope maybe some are taken more seriously. But it doesn't seem to be happening despite these instances. I just want all the little ones to be safe!" commented another user who chimed in.