MIAMI, Fla. — A woman from South Florida who tried to arrange for the murder of her 3-year-old son through a parody website has avoided prison time, receiving a unique sentence that includes two years of community control and 12 years of probation.
Jazmin Paez, now 20, entered a guilty plea to charges of solicitation for first-degree murder, unlawful use of a communications device, and tampering with evidence. This alarming case gained national attention when investigators revealed that Paez had submitted a detailed request on rentahitman.com, an online parody site notorious for attracting hoaxes rather than serious inquiries. The request included her son’s photo, his address, and explicit instructions for the act to be carried out urgently.
The troubling case unfolded on July 18, 2023, when Paez wrote online, asking for her son to be killed by the end of that week. The submission alarmed the site’s owner, Robert Innes, who noted the unusual specificity of the request as a significant red flag and promptly alerted local authorities. Detectives quickly traced the information, leading them to Paez’s whereabouts, where the child was found unharmed with his grandmother, who recognized the boy’s photo as one she had taken just the day before.
Upon further investigation, police confirmed that Paez had communicated with someone she believed to be a hitman. She allegedly agreed to a payment of $3,000 and admitted to her plans during a call with an undercover detective. Evidence found on her phone, including a text indicating “it’s being taken care of,” reinforced the severity of her intentions.
At the sentencing hearing, prosecutors provided insight into Paez’s troubled background, describing her experience as that of a teen mother possibly originating from an incestuous relationship. They illustrated the strain on her mental health, exacerbated by a difficult breakup with a teenage partner when she revealed she had a child. While acknowledging the complexity surrounding her upbringing, prosecutors emphasized the seriousness of her actions and sought a balanced sentence.
The sentence handed down on Monday spared Paez from incarceration while imposing significant restrictions on her behavior. In addition to the requirements for community control and probation, she is mandated to undergo mental health evaluations and treatment. Reports indicated that Paez had been diagnosed with schizophrenia. Though the prosecution considered a lighter sentence for youthful offenders, they settled on a more stringent option, reinforcing the gravity of her conduct.
If Paez violates the terms of her probation, she could face up to 40 years behind bars. Moreover, due to the judge’s order, she will not be classified as a convicted felon, providing a measure of relief amid her ongoing legal challenges.
Before the plea, Paez’s parental rights had already been terminated, and her son has since been adopted by his maternal grandmother. This arrangement has kept him within a supportive family environment following the turmoil sparked by his mother’s actions. Notably, during the initial stages of the case, Paez’s father defended her character, expressing that she was not as she was portrayed and citing her struggles with mental health and bullying.
Currently, Paez is prohibited from any contact with her son until her probation period concludes, extending into 2040. The legal aspects of the case are deemed resolved unless new infractions occur, adding a layer of ongoing scrutiny to her compliance with the court’s conditions. The child’s well-being has reportedly improved since the ordeal, reflecting a complex interplay of familial and judicial dynamics in this distressing situation.