MEAWW.COM / NEWS / CRIME & JUSTICE

Who is Kristel Candelario? Ohio mother charged as toddler dies alone at home while she was on 10-day vacation

Kristel Candelario admitted that she had left her baby unattended at home, and upon her return, discovered the child extremely dehydrated

CLEVELAND, OHIO: Kristel Candelario has been charged with the murder of her 16-month-old daughter, Jailyn, after allegedly leaving the child home alone for 10 days while she went on vacation. Upon her return, she discovered her daughter unresponsive.

According to a police affidavit, Candelario, 31, was arrested on June 18 in connection with her daughter's death. She reportedly traveled to Detroit and Puerto Rico, leaving her daughter behind. When she returned to her Cleveland home on June 16, she found her daughter unresponsive. Speaking through an interpreter, Candelario admitted to investigators that she had left her baby unattended at home, and upon her return, she discovered her daughter to be extremely dehydrated.

Community in shock

Authorities revealed distressing details about the conditions in which the child was found. The playpen was allegedly filled with soiled blankets, a bottom liner saturated with urine, and feces, highlighting the neglect suffered by the toddler during her mother's absence. Emergency personnel who were called to the scene pronounced the child deceased. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office reported that there were no signs of trauma, but the child had tragically been left alone for approximately 10 days, resulting in her untimely death.

Neighbors expressed their anguish upon learning about the incident, with some revealing they had previously cared for the toddler and wished Candelario had asked for help. The loss of Jailyn deeply impacted those who knew her, describing her as an "amazing and really adorable" child who didn't deserve such a fate. A pal of Jailyn's, 13, told WKYC, "Jailyn really didn't deserve what happened to her. I miss her a lot." Another resident said the child was "always happy," adding that she was "always smiling, always curious about stuff. She was a wonderful, wonderful baby."

Disturbing conditions at home

Authorities noted that Candelario had not made any arrangements for her daughter's care before embarking on her trip, raising questions about the decision to leave the child unattended for such an extended period. The conditions in which Jailyn was found, with soiled blankets and unsanitary living conditions, shed light on the negligence that occurred.

The shocking revelation that this was not the first time Candelario had left her baby daughter home alone adds another layer of concern. One acquaintance told News5 Cleveland that they repeatedly advised Candelario against such actions, emphasizing the potential dangers. "We keep telling her not to leave her by herself, not just me, my friend across the street too, but she always leave her by herself," they said.

Kristel Candelario's employment history

Candelario had been employed as a building substitute at Citizen Academy Glenville, an elementary school in Cleveland, since November 2022. However, following her arrest, the school terminated her employment. The school issued a statement regarding her dismissal, highlighting the severity of the charges she faces. Officials from Children and Family Services confirmed no previous records involving Candelario, suggesting that this incident may have been an isolated occurrence.

Currently held at the Cuyahoga County jail with a bond set at $1 million, Candelario's legal proceedings are underway. It remains unknown if she has retained an attorney or entered a plea. Her next hearing is scheduled for June 28 at 8.30 am.