Kristel Candelario, a 32-year-old woman from Ohio, was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the death of her 16-month-old daughter, Jailyn, who died from starvation and severe dehydration after being left alone for more than a week while Candelario vacationed. Candelario left her daughter alone and unattended at her home in Cleveland on June 6, 2023, and did not return until June 16, 2023.
During this time, Candelario traveled to Detroit and Puerto Rico. Upon her return, she found Jailyn unresponsive and called the police. The child was discovered in a playpen soiled with urine and feces, and the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office determined that she died of starvation and severe dehydration, ruling her death a homicide.
Candelario pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated murder and one count of endangering children on February 22. She was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for aggravated murder and eight to 12 years for endangering children.
County Common Pleas Court Judge Brendan Sheehan described Candelario’s actions as “the ultimate betrayal,” emphasizing the severity of leaving a child alone without food and the consequences of her actions. Candelario, who has struggled with depression and related mental health issues, expressed her remorse and prayed daily for forgiveness.
The sentencing highlighted the tragic consequences of Candelario’s actions and underscored the importance of child safety and the legal repercussions of neglecting a child’s well-being. The case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of parental neglect and the legal consequences that can follow such actions.
