A 31-year-old mother from Cleveland, Ohio, was indicted on murder charges last week for leaving her 16-month-old daughter alone and unattended at home for 10 days while she went on vacation to Detroit and Puerto Rico, prosecutors said on Monday.
The mother, Kristel Candelario, returned home on June 16 and found her daughter, Jailyn, unresponsive in a playpen filled with dirty blankets and soiled diapers. She called 911, but the child was pronounced dead at the scene by Cleveland police and fire personnel.
The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office’s investigation revealed that Jailyn had died of dehydration and malnutrition due to neglect. Ms. Candelario admitted to police that she left Jailyn “at home, all alone and unattended,” according to a police affidavit.
Ms. Candelario was indicted on one count of aggravated murder, two counts of murder and one count each of felonious assault and endangering children. Her bond was set at $1 million and a preliminary hearing has been set for Wednesday. It was not immediately clear whether she had a lawyer.
“It is unfathomable that a mother would leave her 16-month-old child alone without any supervision for 10 days to go on a vacation,” Prosecutor Michael O’Malley said in a statement. “As parents, we are supposed to protect and care for our children. Imagining this child’s suffering, during her last days of life alone, is truly horrifying and we will do everything in our power to seek justice on her behalf.”
Neighbors told NBC affiliate WKYC in Cleveland that Ms. Candelario had asked them to take care of Jailyn in the past and didn’t understand why she hadn’t reached out for their help again. They described Jailyn as “amazing and really adorable” and said they missed her a lot.
“Jailyn really didn’t deserve what happened to her. She was amazing and really adorable, and I miss her a lot,” a 13-year-old neighbor told WKYC.
The case has shocked and saddened the community, as well as raised questions about the causes and prevention of child neglect. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, nearly 75 percent of all child maltreatment-related deaths include neglect. Fatal incidents of neglect are most likely to occur with children under the age of 7.
Child neglect can result from various factors, such as poverty, substance abuse, mental health issues, domestic violence or lack of social support. Experts say that some possible solutions include providing more resources and services for families in need, increasing public awareness and education, strengthening the child welfare system and enhancing community involvement.
Relevant articles:
-Ohio mom charged in death of toddler left alone for 10 days, prosecutors say, ABC News, June 26, 2023
-Jacksonville woman charged with child abuse, neglect in death of 5-month-old boy, News4JAX, December 23, 2022
-Cleveland mom charged with murder after baby is left home alone for 10 days and dies, NBC News, June 22, 2023