Chicago father accused of drowning 3 young children allegedly left note for estranged wife – ‘If I can’t have them, neither can you’

A Chicago father accused of the murder of his three children left a haunting note about an apparent custody battle, according to prosecutors.

Jason Karels, 35, has been charged with the deaths of Bryant, 5; Cassidy, 3, and Gideon, 2, who were found dead Monday from suspected drowning after their mother called police for a welfare check at Karels’ home in Round Lake Beach, a suburb of Chicago.

Chicago man charged with murder of his three young children in suspected drowning

Jason Karels

During a bond hearing Wednesday, prosecutors alleged that Karels drowned the children in the bathtub and then left their bodies in beds, according to NBC Chicago.

Along with the bodies was allegedly a note meant for his estranged wife, the mother of the three kids: “If I can’t have them, neither can you.”

When police arrived at Karels’ home Monday, he had already fled the scene, according to officials. Illinois State Police eventually tracked down his car and began a 17-minute high-speed chase that ended when Karels crashed in a wooded area in Joliet, almost 75 miles south of Round Lake Beach.

Jason Karels' three children.

Karels was hospitalized and then transferred to the Lake County Jail Tuesday night.

Round Lake Beach Police Chief Gilbert Rivera said Tuesday during a press conference that Karels told police that he had attempted suicide several times after allegedly killing his children. Investigators reported “a significant amount of blood” at the home that did not belong to the kids.

Rivera also said investigators were not aware of any history of domestic violence.