CLEVELAND, Ohio – A woman in Cleveland, Ohio is on trial for leaving her 16-month-old daughter alone in a playpen for 10 days while she vacationed. The child was found dead when the woman, Kristel Candelario, returned home and called the police. Candelario has been arrested and pleaded guilty to aggravated murder and child endangerment, resulting in a life sentence.
Candelario’s defense team has struggled to defend her actions, arguing that she was struggling with depression and anxiety. However, her lawyer, Derek Smith, emphasized that these mental health conditions do not excuse what happened. He revealed that Candelario had stopped taking her medication, which likely affected her decision-making abilities.
The police investigation revealed that the child, Jailyn, had been left alone and unattended for approximately 10 days. Jailyn’s playpen was described as consisting of soiled blankets and a bottom liner saturated with urine and feces. Despite the lack of signs of trauma, she died during her time alone.
Candelario had left for a vacation in Detroit and Puerto Rico, leaving her young daughter uncared for and exposed to dangerous conditions. Candelario admitted to the police that she left Jailyn “at home, all alone and unattended.”
The tragedy has caused immense pain for Candelario and has left her neighbor, who had previously cared for Jailyn, devastated. The neighbor shared that she had often helped Candelario with necessities like milk for the baby. The neighbor’s 13-year-old daughter, who grew attached to Jailyn during her care, expressed sadness over the loss of the child.
Despite her guilty plea, Candelario and her legal team intend to pursue an appeal. Candelario has expressed deep remorse for her actions, acknowledging that her suffering and personal struggles do not justify what she did. She claimed that God and her late daughter have forgiven her.
The trial has shed light on the importance of providing proper care and support for individuals facing mental health challenges, while also highlighting the tragic consequences that can result from neglecting one’s responsibilities as a parent.