An Ohio mother, aged 32, was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole after her 16-month-old daughter tragically died last summer. The mother, Kristel Candelario, pleaded guilty to aggravated murder and child endangerment as part of a plea deal with Cuyahoga County prosecutors. This decision came after she left her daughter, Jailyn, alone in a playpen for 10 days while she went on vacation to Detroit and Puerto Rico in June 2023.
Upon her return, Candelario found her daughter unresponsive in the playpen and immediately called 911. Emergency responders arrived to find the child extremely dehydrated, and she was pronounced dead shortly after. An autopsy conducted by the Cuyahoga County medical examiner’s office revealed that the toddler had died from starvation and severe dehydration.
During the sentencing, County Common Pleas Court Judge Brendan Sheehan condemned Candelario for what he described as 'the ultimate betrayal' of leaving her daughter without food. He emphasized that she should spend the rest of her life in a cell without freedom, unlike her daughter who was denied basic necessities.
Candelario, who has a history of depression and related mental health issues, expressed remorse and stated that she prays daily for forgiveness. She acknowledged the pain caused by the loss of her daughter and admitted to suffering, although she did not attempt to justify her actions. Candelario mentioned that she believes God and her daughter have forgiven her.
This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the importance of parental responsibility and the devastating consequences of neglecting the well-being of a child. The court's decision to impose a life sentence reflects the severity of the crime and the need for accountability in cases of child endangerment resulting in death.
