Florida Man Who Shot Pregnant Girlfriend for Refusing Abortion Could Face Death Penalty, Jury Decides This Week
SANFORD, FLORIDA — A 23-year-old Florida man who murdered his pregnant girlfriend because she refused to have an abortion may soon face the death penalty after being convicted of first-degree murder and killing an unborn child, prosecutors announced Monday.
The Seminole County jury found Donovan L. Faison guilty in the 2022 shooting death of 18-year-old Kaylin Fiengo, who was three months pregnant when she was lured to a park and killed. The sentencing phase begins Wednesday, where jurors will decide whether Faison should be executed or spend the rest of his life in prison.
A Deadly Argument Over Pregnancy
According to prosecutors, Faison became enraged after Fiengo sent him a picture of two positive pregnancy tests. He accused her of lying and texted her “Abortion!!!”, demanding she terminate the pregnancy.
Feeling trapped while living with another woman who suspected his infidelity, Faison reportedly texted a friend:
“On my brother’s grave, I’m gonna crop her out.”
During closing arguments, prosecutor Domenick Leo told jurors the messages proved clear intent:
“He said he was going to do it — and then he did. The police got the right guy.”
Murder at Coastline Park
On November 11, 2022, Sanford police officers patrolling Coastline Park discovered a vehicle parked near the tree line. Inside, Fiengo was found dead, shot in the head while sitting in the driver’s seat.
Investigators later learned that Fiengo had gone to meet Faison that night after ongoing arguments about the pregnancy. Detectives determined he lured her to the park before pulling the trigger.
Sanford Police Chief Cecil Smith described the investigation as “exhaustive,” noting that detectives analyzed every piece of evidence before making the arrest.
“This beautiful young woman and mother was taken far too soon, and in a horrific way,” Smith said.
Faison was arrested in August 2023 without incident.
Family’s Heartbreak and Call for Justice
Fiengo, who had already been a devoted mother to her one-year-old son, was remembered by her family as “vivacious, loving, funny, and caring.”
Her father, Ricky Fiengo, told NBC affiliate WESH that her death left an irreplaceable void:
“It’s going to take all of us to raise that child and let him know how great his mother was.”
Her mother added that her daughter’s strength was evident even as a teen mom:
“She graduated high school early with her cap saying ‘Mommy did it.’ For me, it’s an empty hole in my heart that will never heal.”
Faison’s sentencing will continue Wednesday as jurors decide whether his calculated crime warrants the death penalty.
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