Tuesday, March 19, 2024 – Ohio woman who left her 16-month-old daughter alone for more than a week while she vacationed, leading to the girl’s death, was sentenced to life in prison without parole Monday morning, March 18.
Kristel Candelario, 32, left her daughter,
Jailyn, alone and unattended at her home in Cleveland on June 6, 2023.
Authorities said she did not return until June 16.
According to prosecutors, Candelario
traveled to Detroit and Puerto Rico. She returned 10 days later to find the
girl unresponsive and called police.
The child was pronounced dead at the home.
She was discovered in a playpen soiled with urine
and feces, according to a press
release from the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office.
Forensic pathologist Elizabeth Mooney
determined Jailyn died from starvation and severe dehydration due to pediatric
neglect and ruled Jailyn’s death a homicide.
On Feb. 22, Candelario pleaded guilty to
one count of aggravated murder and one count of endangering children.
Candelario has now been sentenced to life
in prison without the possibility of patrol for aggravated murder and eight to
12 years for endangering children.
County Common Pleas Court Judge Brendan
Sheehan told Candelario she committed “the ultimate betrayal” by leaving her
daughter alone without food.
“Just as you didn’t let Jailyn out of her
confinement, so too you should spend the rest of your life in a cell without
freedom,” Sheehan said. “The only difference will be, the prison will at least
feed you and give you liquid that you denied her.”
Candelario, who has struggled with
depression and related mental health issues, said she has prayed daily for
forgiveness.
“There’s so much pain that I have in
regards to the loss of my baby, Jailyn,” she said. “I’m extremely hurt about
everything that happened. I am not trying to justify my actions, but nobody
knew how much I was suffering and what I was going through … God and my
daughter have forgiven me.”
During the court hearing, Candelario‘s
parents also stood up to speak.
“My heart is ripped apart in 1,000 pieces,”
Candelario’s mother said. “I am here to tell the world that my daughter came
from a home where there were values, beliefs, emotions, warmth. Where the most
important thing was family.”
“I want to say before Jailyn that your
memory will never leave us. We love you. Your grandparents will never forget
you,” she continued, tearfully.
She also said that Candelario’s “emotional
health was affected on more than one occasion” and that her “depression and
anxiety ended up consuming her.”
Candelario’s father said that even though
he is “shocked by everything that happened,” he is still giving “moral and
spiritual support to our daughter.”
“I ask for compassion, understanding and
mercy,” he said. “My beloved daughter, always remember that we will never
forget Jailyn, our beloved granddaughter. We miss you very much. I carry her
image always within my memory. Jailyn is the light of our life.”
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