In a tragic case reported by the New York Post on Saturday, February 24, 2024, Kristel Candelario, 32, of Cleveland, Ohio, has pleaded guilty to aggravated murder and child endangerment after admitting to abandoning her 16-month-old daughter, Jailyn, for 10 days last June. The shocking case involves Candelario leaving her toddler alone in a filthy home while she enjoyed a beach vacation in Puerto Rico and Detroit.
Candelario displayed a lack of remorse for her actions as evidenced by a smiling selfie posted on Facebook during her vacation, captioned: “The time that is enjoyed is the true time lived.” She left Jailyn in a playpen soaked with urine and feces, covered with soiled blankets.
Upon returning home on June 16, 2023, Candelario found Jailyn unresponsive and called 911. Paramedics pronounced the child dead at the scene. A medical examiner later determined that Jailyn died of starvation and severe dehydration, with no signs of physical trauma.
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Candelario’s plea deal spared her from facing two additional counts of murder and one count of felonious assault. She is expected to be sentenced to life in prison next month. Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley expressed the horror of the case, stating, “This case is one of those truly unimaginable cases that will stick with me for many years to come. As prosecutors, it is our job to represent the victims, and today we spoke on behalf of 16-month-old Jailyn — who is no longer with us — due to the selfish decisions her mother made. This conviction today is the first step towards justice for Jailyn.”
The case has shocked the community, leading to outrage on social media, with many condemning Candelario for her cruelty and negligence. Relatives, including Jailyn’s aunt Jessica Candelario, expressed grief and disbelief over the tragedy, saying, “She was a beautiful baby. She didn’t deserve this.”
Jailyn’s father, not involved in her life, expressed regret, stating, “I wish I could have been there for her. I wish I could have held her. I wish I could have told her I loved her.” After Jailyn’s death, her three other siblings were taken into custody by the Department of Children and Family Services.
