Kristel Candelario, 32, received a life sentence without parole on Monday, March 18, for leaving her 16-month-old daughter, Jailn, unattended at their Cleveland home from June 6 to June 16, 2023, resulting in the child’s tragic death.
Prosecutors revealed that during her absence, Candelario traveled to Detroit and Puerto Rico, returning after 10 days to find her daughter unresponsive, prompting her to call the police. Tragetically, the child was discovered dead in a soiled playpen upon their arrival, as stated in a press release from the cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office.
Forensic pathologist Elizabeth Mooney concluded that Jailyn’s cause of death was starvation and severe dehydration resulting from pediatric neglect, ruling it a homicide. On February 22, Candelario pleaded guilty to aggravated murder and endangeing children charges. She has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for aggravated murder and eight to 12 years for endangering children.