Kristel Candelario: Mother who went on 10-day vacation leaving toddler to die of starvation gets life without parole sentence

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CLEVELAND, OHIO: The 32-year-old Ohio woman has been sentenced to life without parole after being convicted of killing her 16-month-old daughter, on June 16, 2023.

The child, Jailyn Candelario died from starvation and dehydration after being left home alone for over a week while the mother went on vacation in Puerto Rico. 

Last month, Kristel A Candelario formally pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated murder and one count of endangering the life of a child, in connection with her daughter’s death.

What happened in the courtroom?

On Monday, Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas Judge Brendan J Sheehan conveyed that Kristel Candelario would face consequences comparable to those she imposed on her daughter.

However, he noted the difference that prison, unlike the deprivation her daughter suffered, would ensure Candelario's basic needs for sustenance and hydration, as Law&Crime reported.

Dr Elizabeth Mooney shares testimony during sentence hearing

Before the sentencing, emotional testimonies were given by several individuals involved in Jailyn's case. 

Dr Elizabeth Mooney, the forensic pathologist and deputy county medical examiner who conducted Jailyn's autopsy, addressed the court, describing the case as one of the most tragic and unfortunate of her career. 

Mooney recounted that upon examination, Jailyn weighed a mere 13 pounds, indicating a loss of over seven pounds since her previous doctor’s visit less than two months prior. 

Additionally, Mooney noted physical signs such as sunken eyes, temporal wasting in the face, and an abundance of fecal matter on Jailyn’s hands, feet, and mouth, suggesting the child had ingested her waste. 

The cause of death was determined to be "starvation and severe dehydration due to pediatric neglect,” according to Mooney.

As Mooney continued her testimony, her voice trembled as she detailed the physical agony Jailyn endured during the time she was left alone to perish. She described the prolonged suffering, estimating that it lasted not just hours or days, but possibly even a week. 

Mooney emphasized the excruciating pain, “This feeling of abandonment for days on end, coupled with the pain of starvation and extreme thirst is a type of suffering I don’t think any of us could ever fully fathom.”

What did the prosecutors report?

Prosecutors claimed that they tried to contact Jailyn’s extended family, but no one responded. Later, Sergeant Teresa Gomez said the case was terrible. 

Kristle Candelario said she was sorry for what happened but felt misunderstood. She said God and her daughter had forgiven her. 

Judge Sheehan said Candelario betrayed her daughter by leaving her alone to suffer and die. He said Candelario could have saved Jailyn with a phone call but chose not to. 

He said Candelario left Jailyn trapped and suffering while she enjoyed herself on vacation. He criticized Candelario for not seeming to care about her child.

Police found the dead toddler at her home

The Cleveland Police Department and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responded to a call around 8 a.m. concerning a deceased baby, later identified as Jailyn, at a residence on West 97th Street. 

The caller, who identified herself as the child's mother, returned home to find the toddler unresponsive.

Jailyn was pronounced dead, with investigators noting severe dehydration but no signs of physical injury. Inside Jailyn’s Pack-n-Play, police discovered heavily soiled blankets and liners saturated with urine and feces. 

Jailyn's remains were sent to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsy, which confirmed the child had been left alone and unattended for approximately 10 days, resulting in her death.