TAVARES, Fla. -- Two grandparents are accused of trying to hire a hit man to kill their own grandchildren. Lake County detectives said the couple was trying to protect their son, Jason Jackson, who will soon go on trial for sexual molestation.
Jackson's kids are supposed to testify against him and the murder for hire plot began and ended at the Lake County jail.
"I love my kids and it's not their fault these people have done anything. They're crazy. These are some crazy sick people," said Karen Jackson.
One of those people she’s referring to is her own husband Jason.
"If you could go back in time and change just one thing," she said, "I know what it would be. I never would have, never would have married him, because then I would have saved my children from this grief."The devastation came in December, when Jason was arrested on 48 counts of sexual battery. For four years, Karen said, he abused her daughter from a previous marriage and also molested the 10-year-old girl they had together.
But, deputies said, Jason did not want his family to testify against him, so from the Lake County jail, they said, he hatched his plan to get rid of them.
"I think people think that anything can be done for the right price," Karen said.
Deputies said Jason pressed his mother, Versie, and his father, Robert Jackson, into action. Tuesday night, the couple met a supposed hit man at a Best Western and forked over $100 to rub out their daughter-in-law, their three grandchildren and even the family dog.
It turned out, the hit man was an undercover detective.
"Even though my in-laws are locked up and he's locked up, I don't feel safe," Karen said.
Now, Karen Jackson, a registered nurse, said she plans to move her family far away from their nightmare. With distance and therapy, she said, she hopes they'll make it through.
Jason Jackson has not yet been charged with conspiracy to commit murder, like his parents have. But, detectives said, that's because they know he won't be going anywhere anytime soon. He's already being held in lieu of $1 million bond.
A judge ordered Versie and Robert Jackson be held in isolation, with no access to phones or other inmates.
