Kristel Candelario, a Cleveland, Ohio, mother who left her 16-month-old daughter Jailyn alone in a playpen for ten days while she traveled to Puerto Rico and Detroit, is serving life in prison without the possibility of parole. She pleaded guilty to aggravated murder and child endangerment in February 2024, was sentenced on March 18, 2024, and her defense attorney has said she intends to appeal.1ABC7. Kristel Candelario Baby Death Cleveland Ohio2Fox 8. Depression Not an Excuse, Ohio Mom’s Attorney Says After Life Sentence
What Happened to Jailyn Candelario
On June 6, 2023, Candelario, then 32, left Jailyn alone in a Pack-N-Play playpen at their Cleveland home and drove away with a suitcase.3Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office. Kristel Candelario Sentenced on Murder Charge1ABC7. Kristel Candelario Baby Death Cleveland Ohio She went to Puerto Rico, where she spent time at the beach with a male friend, and then to Detroit. She returned home around 8 a.m. on June 16, 2023, and called 911 after finding Jailyn unresponsive in the playpen.
Responding officers pronounced the child dead at the scene. Investigators found the toddler on a liner soiled with urine and feces, surrounded by soiled blankets.3Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office. Kristel Candelario Sentenced on Murder Charge The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office determined that Jailyn died of starvation and severe dehydration.4Spectrum News 1. Kristel Candelario Sentenced to Life in Prison
Charges and Guilty Plea
Candelario was originally charged with two counts of murder, one count of felonious assault, and additional offenses.4Spectrum News 1. Kristel Candelario Sentenced to Life in Prison On February 22, 2024, she pleaded guilty in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court to one count of aggravated murder and one count of endangering children. Under the plea agreement, prosecutors dismissed the two murder counts and the felonious assault charge.
The Defense’s Mental Health Argument
Defense attorneys Derek Smith and Patrick Milligan told the court Candelario had struggled with anxiety and depression and had stopped taking her prescribed antidepressant medication before the trip, which they argued impaired her judgment.5NewsNation. Depression Excuse Kristel Candelario Attorney Smith said Candelario had been caring for Jailyn alone for the first time, without help from her parents, who she had typically relied on for childcare.6Cleveland 19. Defense Attorney: Woman Who Left Baby Home Alone to Die Says Mother Suffered Depression
Smith acknowledged that mental health struggles were “not an excuse for what happened” and called it the toughest case he had worked on. Addressing the court herself, Candelario said, “I am not trying to justify my actions, but nobody knew how much I was suffering and what I was going through.”5NewsNation. Depression Excuse Kristel Candelario Attorney
Life Without Parole
On March 18, 2024, Judge Brendan Sheehan of the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court sentenced Candelario to life in prison without the possibility of parole.1ABC7. Kristel Candelario Baby Death Cleveland Ohio5NewsNation. Depression Excuse Kristel Candelario Attorney7KPLC. Mom Gets Life Without Parole for Death of Young Daughter
Appeal
After the sentencing, Smith confirmed that Candelario intends to appeal and that appellate counsel has been assigned to her case.2Fox 8. Depression Not an Excuse, Ohio Mom’s Attorney Says After Life Sentence No public updates on the appeal’s progress have been reported as of early 2025. Candelario remains incarcerated.