A woman is accused of abandoning her 16-month-old child to die alone so that she could go on a vacation for 10 days, according to Ohio prosecutors.
31-year old Kristel Candelario allegedly left her daughter inside their Cleveland home on June 6 and did not return until June 16 at about 8 a.m.
Cuyahoga County prosecutor Michael O’Malley called the incident “truly horrifying.”
O’Malley said Candelario went to Detroit, Michigan, and Puerto Rico on her vacation and when she returned to her home, she called police to report that her daughter was unresponsive. The child was pronounced dead at the scene.
She was later identified as Jailyn Candelario by the Cuyahoga County medical examiner.
She was found in an extremely dehydrated state, according to an affidavit, and her playpen was soiled with feces and urine. Neighbors said that it wasn’t the first time the woman had left her daughter alone.
Candelario was indicted on charges of aggravated murder, murder, felonious assault, and endangering children.
She pleaded not guilty at her arraignment on Thursday at the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas and was held on a bond of $1 million.
“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,” said O’Malley.
“As parents, we are supposed to protect and care for our children,” he added. “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.”
Candelario is scheduled to return to court on July 5.
Here’s a local news report about the horrific incident:
$1M bond set for Cleveland mom charged in death of toddler daughter left alonewww.youtube.com
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