Texas Father Sentenced After Forcing 8-Year-Old Daughter to Fatally Jump on 110-Degree Trampoline as Punishment

Tragic case in Ector County, Texas: Daniel Schwarz pleads guilty to manslaughter following the death of his 8-year-old daughter, Jaylin, due to extreme heat exposure on a trampoline.

Odessa, TX

A Texas father has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in connection to the heartbreaking death of his 8-year-old daughter, Jaylin Schwarz, who tragically lost her life after being forced by her parents to jump for hours on a trampoline in 110-degree heat as punishment.

Daniel Schwarz, who prosecutors say showed little mercy toward his daughter, was sentenced to 18 years in prison following his plea agreement on Friday. His wife, Ashley Schwarz, had previously been convicted in May of capital murder in connection to the same incident.

On August 29, authorities were called to the family’s Odessa home after reports that 8-year-old Jaylin was unresponsive. Investigators uncovered a horrifying reality: Daniel and Ashley Schwarz had denied Jaylin food and water, forcing her to jump repeatedly on a trampoline as punishment, where the surface temperature soared to 110 degrees, with the surrounding ground even hotter at nearly 150 degrees.

Police found the child had been forced to endure prolonged physical punishment without water or food as temperatures soared. Jaylin’s autopsy concluded that she tragically died from dehydration, prompting authorities to rule her death a homicide.

Further investigation revealed a complex family history. Jaylin’s biological mother, Alysha Anderton, had been engaged in a difficult custody battle for years and had not been able to see her daughter for more than three years before her death. In an emotional Facebook post following Jaylin’s death, Anderton expressed profound heartbreak, describing her sense of loss and regret. “I never got the chance to tell her how hard I was trying to be in her life,” she wrote. “All I wanted was to be with her, to show her I loved her.”

The extreme heat on the trampoline, measured at approximately 110 degrees, coupled with the scorching 150-degree ground temperatures, contributed directly to the conditions that caused Jaylin’s death. The community remains deeply affected, mourning the loss and grappling with how such a tragedy could occur.

As the Schwarz couple faces the consequences of their actions, child welfare advocates and family members continue their calls for justice, urging reforms and increased awareness to protect vulnerable children from future harm.