A mother has been sentenced to life in prison after leaving her 16-month-old child alone for 10 days while she went on vacation.
Kristel Candelario, 32, from Cleveland, Ohio, traveled to Puerto Rico and Detroit in June 2023, leaving her daughter Jailyn in a playpen at home.
When she returned 10 days later, she discovered Jailyn had died from starvation and dehydration.
📹 Neighbours captured cries
Security cameras from nearby homes reportedly recorded Jailyn crying multiple times, including during the early morning, just two days after Kristel left.
She had been left with only a few bottles of milk and was found in a soiled playpen, weighing seven pounds less than she had two months prior.
⚖️ Judge calls it “the ultimate betrayal”
Kristel pleaded guilty to aggravated murder and child endangerment in February 2024.
During sentencing in March, the judge stated:
“The only difference between you and your daughter is that prison will provide food and water – things you denied her.”
🏖️ The reason behind it
Kristel’s defense said she had been struggling with mental health issues and had stopped taking her medication. Prosecutors, however, argued nothing justified the suffering her child endured.
👶 Public outrage
Social media users expressed shock and anger:
“How could anyone do this? My heart breaks for that baby.”
“If you’re struggling as a parent, SEEK HELP. This is unimaginable.”
🚨 Life sentence imposed
Kristel was sentenced to life without parole, with authorities describing the case as one of extreme neglect and cruelty.
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