Murder Of Jailyn Candelario
Child Murder by Filicide
CLASSIFICATION: Murder
LOCATION
Cleveland, Ohio
TIME PERIOD
June 2023
VICTIMS
1 confirmed
In June 2023, Jailyn Candelario, a 16-month-old child from Cleveland, Ohio, was murdered by her mother, Kristel Candelario, who abandoned her for ten days while vacationing in Puerto Rico and Detroit. The incident occurred at their home on West Boulevard, where Jailyn was left alone with minimal provisions from June 6 to June 16, during which time she suffered from severe dehydration and malnutrition. Upon her return, Kristel called 911, but Jailyn was pronounced dead at the scene, showing signs of neglect and starvation. Kristel Candelario was charged with aggravated murder and child endangerment, ultimately pleading guilty and receiving a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Significant evidence included surveillance footage of Jailyn crying for help and the condition in which she was found, corroborating the neglect and abandonment leading to her death.
Kristel Candelario's history of neglect has led to speculation that her abandonment of Jailyn was part of a pattern of irresponsible behavior, with neighbors recalling previous instances where she left her child for extended periods. Some believe that Candelario's vacation was premeditated and that she did not intend to return, highlighting a troubling lack of maternal instinct. Additionally, the chilling details of Jailyn's suffering, including recorded screams, have fueled outrage and discussions about systemic failures in child welfare that may have allowed this tragedy to occur.
The Tragic Case of Jailyn Candelario
In the heart of Cleveland, Ohio, during the early summer of 2023, a heart-wrenching tragedy unfolded. The victim was not a high-profile figure or a public personality, but a vulnerable 16-month-old child named Jailyn Candelario. Her life was cut tragically short by the very person meant to protect her—her mother, Kristel Candelario.
A Troubling History
Kristel Candelario was no stranger to leaving Jailyn in the care of others. Neighbors painted a grim picture of her neglect, recounting instances where she would leave Jailyn for extended periods. One neighbor agreed to watch the child for a weekend, which stretched into a month and a half as Kristel refused to return calls or pick up her daughter. Just before her fateful trip in June 2023, Kristel had already left Jailyn alone for two days in their home on West Boulevard, Cleveland.
The Fateful Abandonment
On June 6, 2023, Kristel embarked on a vacation, leaving Jailyn alone in the house. Her destinations were Puerto Rico and Detroit, a trip that would last ten days. Inside their home, Jailyn was left with only a few bottles of milk in her playpen. A neighbor's doorbell camera captured the haunting cries of the child, echoing through the neighborhood just two days after her mother’s departure. Meanwhile, Kristel shared photos on social media, smiling on a beach, captioning them with, "The time that is enjoyed is the true time lived."
When Kristel finally returned on the morning of June 16, she found her daughter in a dire state. Jailyn was severely dehydrated, lying in a playpen with soiled blankets and a liner drenched in urine and feces. Before first responders arrived, Kristel changed Jailyn into a clean outfit, but it was too late. The Cleveland Division of Police found Jailyn unresponsive, and medics pronounced her dead at the scene. The little girl’s body was emaciated, with sunken eyes and dry lips. Fecal matter was found in her mouth and under her fingernails. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s office concluded that she died from starvation and severe dehydration, weighing seven pounds less than at her last doctor's visit in April 2023.
The Legal Reckoning
Following the autopsy, Kristel Candelario faced murder charges. Prosecutors considered seeking the death penalty, reflecting the gravity of her actions. In February 2024, Kristel pleaded guilty to aggravated murder and child endangerment as part of a plea deal, which dismissed additional charges of felonious assault and two counts of murder.
In court, Kristel’s attorney highlighted her struggles with mental health, revealing a suicide attempt in 2023 and her subsequent prescription for antidepressants, which she stopped taking before abandoning Jailyn. Her parents pleaded for mercy, claiming they were unaware of Jailyn’s abandonment and asserting that Kristel’s decision-making was impaired by her mental health issues. Kristel herself claimed she never informed her parents about the trip, telling them she was staying home with Jailyn while they cared for her older daughter.
Despite these pleas, the court handed down a severe sentence. On March 18, 2024, Kristel Candelario was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The judge described her actions as the "ultimate act of betrayal," sealing her fate in a case that shocked and saddened the Cleveland community and beyond.
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Child Left Alone
Kristel Candelario leaves her daughter Jailyn alone at home for a 10-day vacation.
Jailyn Found Unresponsive
Jailyn is discovered unresponsive and pronounced dead after being left alone for 10 days.
Mother Charged with Murder
Kristel Candelario is charged with murder following the death of her daughter Jailyn.
Guilty Plea
Candelario pleads guilty to aggravated murder and child endangerment as part of a plea deal.
Sentenced to Life
Kristel Candelario is sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
In June 2023, Jailyn Candelario, a 16-month-old child from Cleveland, Ohio, was murdered by her mother, Kristel Candelario, who abandoned her for ten days while vacationing in Puerto Rico and Detroit. The incident occurred at their home on West Boulevard, where Jailyn was left alone with minimal provisions from June 6 to June 16, during which time she suffered from severe dehydration and malnutrition. Upon her return, Kristel called 911, but Jailyn was pronounced dead at the scene, showing signs of neglect and starvation. Kristel Candelario was charged with aggravated murder and child endangerment, ultimately pleading guilty and receiving a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Significant evidence included surveillance footage of Jailyn crying for help and the condition in which she was found, corroborating the neglect and abandonment leading to her death.
Kristel Candelario's history of neglect has led to speculation that her abandonment of Jailyn was part of a pattern of irresponsible behavior, with neighbors recalling previous instances where she left her child for extended periods. Some believe that Candelario's vacation was premeditated and that she did not intend to return, highlighting a troubling lack of maternal instinct. Additionally, the chilling details of Jailyn's suffering, including recorded screams, have fueled outrage and discussions about systemic failures in child welfare that may have allowed this tragedy to occur.
The Tragic Case of Jailyn Candelario
In the heart of Cleveland, Ohio, during the early summer of 2023, a heart-wrenching tragedy unfolded. The victim was not a high-profile figure or a public personality, but a vulnerable 16-month-old child named Jailyn Candelario. Her life was cut tragically short by the very person meant to protect her—her mother, Kristel Candelario.
A Troubling History
Kristel Candelario was no stranger to leaving Jailyn in the care of others. Neighbors painted a grim picture of her neglect, recounting instances where she would leave Jailyn for extended periods. One neighbor agreed to watch the child for a weekend, which stretched into a month and a half as Kristel refused to return calls or pick up her daughter. Just before her fateful trip in June 2023, Kristel had already left Jailyn alone for two days in their home on West Boulevard, Cleveland.
The Fateful Abandonment
On June 6, 2023, Kristel embarked on a vacation, leaving Jailyn alone in the house. Her destinations were Puerto Rico and Detroit, a trip that would last ten days. Inside their home, Jailyn was left with only a few bottles of milk in her playpen. A neighbor's doorbell camera captured the haunting cries of the child, echoing through the neighborhood just two days after her mother’s departure. Meanwhile, Kristel shared photos on social media, smiling on a beach, captioning them with, "The time that is enjoyed is the true time lived."
When Kristel finally returned on the morning of June 16, she found her daughter in a dire state. Jailyn was severely dehydrated, lying in a playpen with soiled blankets and a liner drenched in urine and feces. Before first responders arrived, Kristel changed Jailyn into a clean outfit, but it was too late. The Cleveland Division of Police found Jailyn unresponsive, and medics pronounced her dead at the scene. The little girl’s body was emaciated, with sunken eyes and dry lips. Fecal matter was found in her mouth and under her fingernails. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s office concluded that she died from starvation and severe dehydration, weighing seven pounds less than at her last doctor's visit in April 2023.
The Legal Reckoning
Following the autopsy, Kristel Candelario faced murder charges. Prosecutors considered seeking the death penalty, reflecting the gravity of her actions. In February 2024, Kristel pleaded guilty to aggravated murder and child endangerment as part of a plea deal, which dismissed additional charges of felonious assault and two counts of murder.
In court, Kristel’s attorney highlighted her struggles with mental health, revealing a suicide attempt in 2023 and her subsequent prescription for antidepressants, which she stopped taking before abandoning Jailyn. Her parents pleaded for mercy, claiming they were unaware of Jailyn’s abandonment and asserting that Kristel’s decision-making was impaired by her mental health issues. Kristel herself claimed she never informed her parents about the trip, telling them she was staying home with Jailyn while they cared for her older daughter.
Despite these pleas, the court handed down a severe sentence. On March 18, 2024, Kristel Candelario was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The judge described her actions as the "ultimate act of betrayal," sealing her fate in a case that shocked and saddened the Cleveland community and beyond.
Sources
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Child Left Alone
Kristel Candelario leaves her daughter Jailyn alone at home for a 10-day vacation.
Jailyn Found Unresponsive
Jailyn is discovered unresponsive and pronounced dead after being left alone for 10 days.
Mother Charged with Murder
Kristel Candelario is charged with murder following the death of her daughter Jailyn.
Guilty Plea
Candelario pleads guilty to aggravated murder and child endangerment as part of a plea deal.
Sentenced to Life
Kristel Candelario is sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.