Ohio Mother Receives Life Sentence for Murder After Leaving Toddler Alone to Vacation

An Ohio woman received a life sentence without parole on Monday for the death of her 16-month-old daughter, following her guilty plea to charges of aggravated murder and child endangerment, as announced by the Cuyahoga County prosecutor’s office.

Kristel Candelario, 32, admitted to leaving her daughter, Jailyn, unattended for over a week to vacation in Detroit and Puerto Rico last June. Upon her return on June 16, she discovered Jailyn deceased and notified the police.

The autopsy revealed Jailyn succumbed to starvation and severe dehydration, marking the cause as pediatric neglect. Dr. Elizabeth Mooney, deputy Cuyahoga County medical examiner, described the case as one of the most tragic she’s encountered, noting Jailyn’s significant weight loss and prolonged suffering.

Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley lamented the loss of “a beautiful baby girl,” attributing her death to her mother’s “unimaginable selfishness.” Candelario sought forgiveness in court, expressing remorse towards her daughter, her other child, and her parents.

Her defense highlighted Candelario’s emotional struggles and the challenges of single motherhood, mentioning a prior suicide attempt and the cessation of prescribed antidepressants without proper medical guidance, which could have impaired her judgment.

The prosecution criticized Candelario’s actions as unfathomable, stressing the gravity of her neglect. Judge Brendan Sheehan, in delivering the sentence, echoed the shock and condemnation of the community and professionals, deeming it “the ultimate act of betrayal.”