Mom who left toddler alone for over a week while she went on vacation pleads guilty to murder

CLEVELAND (TCD) -- A woman who left her 16-month-old daughter home alone for over a week when she went on vacation pleaded guilty this week after the girl was found deceased in a playpen.

Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley announced Thursday, Feb. 22, that Kristel Candelario entered the guilty plea for a charge of aggravated murder and endangering children for the death of Jailyn Candelario. Court records show Candelario was originally charged with aggravated murder, murder, felonious assault, and endangering children.

Candelario left her child "alone and unattended" between June 6 and June 16, 2023, while she traveled to Detroit and Puerto Rico. When she returned on June 16, she found the toddler unresponsive inside a Pack-N-Play pen. The liner inside the pen was "soiled with urine and feces with soiled blankets." The statement said the little girl was "extremely dehydrated" when she died.

O’Malley said in his statement, "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."

She will be sentenced March 18.

MORE:

• Kristel Candelario Pleads Guilty to Aggravated Murder Charge for Leaving Her 16-Month-Old Daughter Alone and Unattended for More Than a Week While on Vacation - Cuyahoga County Prosecuting Attorney's Office
• State of Ohio vs. Kristel Candelario
• 16 month-old dies after mom allegedly left her alone for over a week while she went on vacation, 6/21/2023 - TCD