Texas father who forced his adopted daughter to jump on hot trampoline is sentenced for her death

ODESSA, Texas (TCN) -- A 48-year-old man will spend nearly two decades behind bars in connection with the death of his adopted daughter, who he and his wife forced to jump on a hot trampoline as a form of punishment.

The Ector County District Attorney’s Office announced March 6 that Daniel Schwarz pleaded guilty to manslaughter and received a sentence of 18 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

On Aug. 29, 2020, Odessa Police responded to a medical emergency, where they found an 8-year-old girl, identified by KOSA-TV as Jaylin Schwarz, deceased at the scene. According to prosecutors, investigators determined Daniel Schwarz and his wife, Ashley Schwarz, "forced their daughter to jump on a trampoline for an extended period without food or water as a form of punishment." The trampoline’s surface reportedly reached 110 degrees at the time.

An autopsy revealed the victim died from dehydration, and her death was ruled a homicide.

Ashley Schwarz was previously convicted on May 1, 2023, of capital murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The victim’s biological mother was reportedly in a custody battle with Daniel Schwarz and Ashley Schwarz, who also had custody of the 8-year-old girl’s sister.

MORE: