Court Hearing Set For Man Accused Of Killing 3 Young Children

ROUND LAKE BEACH, IL — A 35-year-old Round Lake Beach man accused of killing his three young children is expected to appear for his initial court appearance Wednesday morning in Lake County.

John E. Karels faces three counts of first-degree murder. He was taken into custody by police after the vehicle he was driving plunged off a bridge on Interstate 80 in Joliet. Before driving off the bridge, he led state troopers on a chase through Cook County, police said.

Karels was transferred to the Lake County Jail after being released from the hospital. A Lake County judge is expected to hear the case and set his bail during a 10 a.m. hearing.

• Bond court will be broadcast via live stream here this morning, and is expected to start at 10 a.m.

His children, ages 5, 3, and 2, died by drowning, the Lake County Coroner’s Office said at a news conference Tuesday.

Police did not indicate where the drownings took place and said there is no evidence he had previously abused the children.

The children were identified as Bryant Karels, 5, Cassidy Karels, 3, and Gideon Karels, 2, and officials said the children were found in a bed. A deputy coroner said Tuesday that it is too early to determine whether the children were drugged. He said there were no other serious injuries to the children.

Police said Tuesday that while he was being extricated from his vehicle, Karels told police he was responsible for the children’s deaths in Round Lake Beach. Karels also said he attempted suicide “several times” after the children's deaths, police said.

Police said in the news conference that blood was found inside the home, in the 200 block of East Camden Lane, and that none of the blood belonged to the children. The children’s mother — who was estranged from Karels — discovered the three children in the home.

Police were called to the home Monday afternoon and said the incident was "domestically motivated" and that there is no threat to the community.

Police said Karels was being taken back to Lake County after spending the night in a hospital for treatment of his injuries. Police also said he could face further charges.

Police said they are continuing to investigate and will release more information as the investigation continues.

A GoFundMe effort started by Lake County Board member Dick Barr has raised more than $37,000 toward a $100,000 goal as of Tuesday evening and will go to the family of the three children.

"This tragedy happened in my own neighborhood, and I need to make certain that this mother has everything she needs to not have to worry about money at this terrible time," Barr wrote on the GoFundMe.

GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner. Patch will update with more information as it becomes available.