Mother pleads guilty to aggravated murder after leaving toddler alone in playpen for 10 days
A woman who went on vacation and left her young daughter alone in a playpen for 10 days has admitted to aggravated murder.
Kristel Candelario, 32, abandoned her 16-month-old daughter Jailyn while she went on trips to Detroit and Puerto Rico in June 2023.
Candelario, who is from Ohio, also pleaded guilty to child endangerment as part of a plea agreement with Cuyahoga County prosecutors. They agreed to drop two murder charges and a felonious assault charge.
She faces a life sentence when she is sentenced next month.
Authorities say Candelario left Jailyn in their Cleveland home while she was away on vacation.
Upon her return 10 days later, she discovered that Jailyn was unresponsive in the playpen and called 911.
Emergency responders found the child to be severely dehydrated and pronounced her dead shortly after their arrival.
An autopsy conducted by the Cuyahoga County medical examiner’s office determined that Jailyn had died from starvation and severe dehydration.
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“This case is one of those truly unimaginable cases that will stick with me for many years to come,” said Michael C O’Malley, the Cuyahoga County prosecutor.
“It is our responsibility to seek justice for the victims, and today we spoke on behalf of 16-month-old Jailyn – who is no longer with us – due to the selfish choices made by her mother. Today’s conviction is the first step towards justice for Jailyn.”
Candelario is scheduled to be sentenced on 18 March.
