Kristel Candelario receives maximum sentence after daughter’s starvation death
In a heart-wrenching case out of Ohio, Kristel Candelario, a 32-year-old mother, has been given a life sentence without the possibility of parole following the tragic death of her 16-month-old daughter, Jailyn. Candelario left Jailyn alone to embark on a 10-day vacation in June 2023, during which the toddler suffered a slow and painful death from starvation and dehydration.
Candelario pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated murder and one count of endangering children. Despite her claim that God and Jailyn had forgiven her, County Common Pleas Court Judge Brendan Sheehan delivered a stern sentence, emphasizing the severity of her actions by comparing her future confinement to the neglect Jailyn faced.
The case details reveal Candelario’s negligence; she left Jailyn unattended in their Cleveland home, choosing instead to travel to Detroit and Puerto Rico. Upon her return, she discovered Jailyn deceased, prompting a call to the police who found the child in distressing conditions.
Prosecutors and first responders described the dire state in which they found Jailyn, highlighting the extent of her suffering. The child’s drastic weight loss and the conditions she was left in painted a grim picture of her final days.
Candelario’s defence portrayed her as an overwhelmed single mother, but the court was unmoved, focusing instead on the evidence of neglect and the devastating outcome. The medical examiner’s testimony underscored the severity of Jailyn’s condition, marking it as one of the most tragic cases encountered in their career.
The prosecution argued for a harsh sentence, pointing to jail phone calls where Candelario seemed to lack remorse for her actions. Her comments during these calls suggested a disconnect from the gravity of her daughter’s death, further alienating her from any sympathy from the court or the public.
Judge Sheehan’s sentencing remarks reflected on the sacred bond between a mother and child, condemning Candelario’s breach of trust as the “ultimate betrayal.” This case has left a lasting impact on the community and serves as a grim reminder of the responsibilities and trust inherent in parenthood
