An Ohio mother has pleaded guilty to aggravated murder for leaving her 16-month-old daughter in a filthy playpen in her home for 10 days while she was on vacation.
Christel Candelario, 32, pleaded guilty Thursday to aggravated murder and child endangerment. Her daughter’s body was discovered in her home in Cleveland, and she faces her life sentence.
Candelario reportedly left her 16-month-old daughter alone at home in June 2023 when she left for a vacation to Detroit, Michigan and Puerto Rico. Ms. Candelario returned home from vacation on June 16, 2023, 10 days after leaving her baby home alone.
Prosecutors said Candelario called police after finding the baby unresponsive at home.
When police arrived, baby Jaylin Candelario was already dead, and the toddler was reportedly found “extremely dehydrated at the time of death.”
An autopsy conducted by the Cuyahoga County Coroner’s Office determined that infant Jaylin died of starvation and severe dehydration, according to reports. KDKA News.
The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office said in a statement. statement“Jaylin was found in a pack-and-play enclosure with a soiled blanket on a liner soiled with urine and feces.”
“This case is one of those truly unimaginable cases that will stay with me for years to come,” said Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley. “As prosecutors, it is our job to represent victims, and today we represent 16-month-old Jaylin, who is no longer with us because of a selfish decision made by her mother. Today’s guilty verdict is the first step toward justice for Jaylin.”
the neighbor said news 5 cleveland This was not the first time the mother had left the baby alone at home.
“We keep telling her not to leave her alone, not just us, but also our friend across the street, but she always leaves her alone,” said a neighbor. said.
Another neighbor added, “There were so many people here. She could have knocked on our door and asked us to take Jaylin.”
Patrick Milligan, Candelario’s lawyer, said: cleveland.com“Today was a really emotional day for our client. She takes responsibility for what she did and is remorseful. Mitigating issues will come up during sentencing. , we’re going to deal with it. I hope people understand that she’s not like that.” Some people see her as a monster. ”
His lawyer argued that Mr. Candelario had mental health issues, but did not provide specific details.
Candelario had no previous felony convictions.
The Cleveland mother’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 18.
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