Kristel A. Candelario and Jailyn Candelario. Photo Credit: Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office; WKYC screenshot.
According to a report by Law and Crime on Thursday, February 22, 2024, 32-year-old Kristel A. Candelario from Ohio has entered a guilty plea for the heart-wrenching death of her 16-month-old daughter, Jailyn Candelario.
The devastating case, which unfolded in Cuyahoga County, has sent shockwaves through the community, leaving many grappling with the incomprehensible nature of the crime.
Court documents obtained by Law&Crime reveal that Kristel A. Candelario formally pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated murder and one count of endangering the life of a child.
The plea comes as a result of a harrowing revelation that she left her toddler daughter unattended at home, ultimately leading to Jailyn's tragic demise due to starvation and dehydration.
The details of the case paint a picture of neglect and abandonment that is difficult to comprehend.
As part of the plea agreement, the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office has agreed to drop additional charges against Candelario, including two counts of murder and one count of felonious assault.
However, the charges she pleaded guilty to carry significant weight, with the possibility of a life sentence for aggravated murder and up to 12 years for child endangerment.
Additionally, Candelario faces a probationary period of 18 months to three years if she is ever released.
The outcome of the plea hearing has been met with mixed emotions, with prosecutors hailing it as a step towards justice for little Jailyn.
County Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley expressed his sentiments, 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 details surrounding Jailyn's tragic death are as heartbreaking as they are disturbing.
Responding to a call on June 16, officers and EMS personnel discovered the lifeless body of the toddler at a residence in the 3100 block of West 97th Street in Cleveland.
The caller, identified as Candelario herself, reported finding her child unresponsive upon returning home.
Despite efforts to revive Jailyn, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
An initial examination revealed no signs of physical trauma, but it became apparent that Jailyn had been subjected to unimaginable neglect.
Authorities found her in a state of extreme dehydration, highlighting the dire circumstances she endured in her final days.
Shockingly, investigators discovered soiled blankets and a bottom liner in Jailyn’s Pack-n-Play bin, indicating prolonged exposure to unsanitary conditions.
Further investigation uncovered the chilling truth behind Jailyn's tragic fate. Candelario confessed to authorities that she had left her daughter unattended for a staggering 10 days while she embarked on a vacation to Puerto Rico and Detroit, Michigan.
The revelation of such callous disregard for a defenseless child sent shockwaves through the community, prompting widespread outrage and disbelief.
Following the discovery of Jailyn's remains, the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office conducted an autopsy, confirming the grim reality of her prolonged abandonment.
The medical examiner concluded that Jailyn had been left alone and unattended for approximately 10 days, ultimately succumbing to the effects of starvation and dehydration.
As the case moves forward, Candelario is scheduled to appear in court for her sentencing hearing on March 18.
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