2024-02-24 14:18:25
A woman in Ohio has pleaded guilty to aggravated murder and child endangerment after she left her 16-month-old daughter in her home alone for over a week, which resulted in the child’s death.
The 32-year-old women, identified as Kristel Candelario, is now facing a potential life sentence under murder and child endangerment charges in a county court, the USA Today reported.
After pleading guilty, two murder counts and a felonious assault charge were dismissed by Cuyahoga County prosecutors.
The incident came to light after Cleveland Police responded to a call on June 16 finding the child, Jailyn, unresponsive in the family’s home.
Despite the efforts of emergency responders, the child was pronounced dead at the scene. An investigation revealed that Candelario had left her daughter alone to travel to Detroit and Puerto Rico.
The conditions in which Jailyn was found were distressing, with her Pack-N-Play pen containing urine- and feces-soiled blankets. Police said that while there were no signs of physical trauma, the toddler had been left unattended for approximately 10 days.
The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office disclosed that Jailyn was discovered in an “extremely dehydrated” state. The subsequent autopsy conducted by the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that the cause of death was starvation and severe dehydration.
“This case is one of those truly unimaginable cases that will stick with me for many years to come,” USA Today quoted prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley as saying.
“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,” O’Malley added.
The matter is scheduled for hearing on March 18 at the Cuyahoga County Justice Center.
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