An Ohio woman, 32, from Cleveland confessed on Thursday, February 22, 2024, to the death of her 16-month-old daughter. The child was left unattended for ten days as her mother vacationed in Detroit, Michigan, and Puerto Rico.

Kristel A. Candelario made her plea on Thursday, acknowledging one count of aggravated murder and one count of endangering the life of Jailyn Candelario. This plea is part of a deal with the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office, which will dismiss additional charges against her. These include two counts of murder and one count of felonious assault.

Candelario’s confession to these charges carries serious repercussions. She is looking at a possible life sentence for the murder charge, plus up to 12 years for child endangerment. Additionally, if Candelario is released, she will be under probation for 18 months to three years.

This legal result is viewed as a significant achievement by prosecutors due to the case’s unsettling nature. County Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley noted the severity of the situation, emphasizing the unthinkable circumstances that led to the toddler’s death. O’Malley underscored the importance of advocating for the victims, asserting that this conviction is a step toward justice for young Jailyn.

On June 16, 2023, the case was uncovered when officers from the Cleveland Police Department responded to a 911 call at a residence on West 97th Street. Upon her return home from her trip, Candelario discovered her daughter unresponsive and promptly alerted the authorities.

The investigation did not reveal any signs of trauma on Jailyn’s body, but she was severely dehydrated. The police report detailed the appalling conditions in which the toddler was left. Her Pack-n-Play playpen was found to contain a liner soiled with feces and urine, along with dirty blankets.

The critical element of the case was Candelario’s admission to having left Jailyn alone for an extended period while she was on vacation. An autopsy report stated that the child had died from starvation and severe dehydration after about ten days of neglect. Candelario’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 18, when the final verdict will be delivered.