Heartbreaking Loss: Ohio Mother Charged with Murder after Leaving Toddler Alone to go for a 10 day vacation.

In Ohio, a 31-year-old mother was taken into custody after the death of her 16-month-old daughter. The mother admitted to leaving the toddler unattended while she went on vacation for over a week.

Kristel A. Candelario, the mother in question, was arrested on Saturday and charged with murder following the demise of young Jailyn Candelario. 

Court documents obtained by Law&Crime revealed the details of the case.

Emergency services and officers from the Cleveland Police Department responded to a distress call around 8 a.m. on June 16, 2023.

The call, originating from a residence on West 97th Street, reported the discovery of a deceased baby, later identified as Jailyn. 

The mother, who made the call, stated that she found her toddler unresponsive upon returning home.

Upon arrival, emergency medical personnel pronounced the child dead. 

Although no signs of physical injury were initially found, law enforcement stated in a press release that Jailyn was severely dehydrated, as revealed by a preliminary investigation.

During the subsequent inquiry, the police found soiled blankets and a saturated bottom liner in Jailyn's Pack-N-Play bin, indicating the child had been left unattended and neglected.

According to authorities, Kristel Candelario confessed to leaving her toddler alone while she embarked on a vacation to Puerto Rico and Detroit, Michigan, lasting from June 8 to June 16. 

The incident report explicitly stated that Candelario admitted to leaving Jailyn "at home, all alone and unattended" during this period.

Following the toddler's tragic death, her remains were sent for autopsy and further examination by the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office. 

Officials confirmed that Jailyn had been left unattended for approximately ten days, ultimately resulting in her untimely demise.

Neighbors of Candelario reportedly told Cleveland NBC affiliate WKYC that she had a reputation as an absentee mother. 

In August 2022, Candelario had allegedly dropped Jailyn off at their apartment, requesting them to look after the child for a weekend. 

However, she disappeared for several weeks, avoiding phone calls and providing excuses for her absence.

One of the women recounted their attempts to contact Candelario for necessities like milk, pleading for assistance. 

Finally, after about six weeks, Candelario returned to collect Jailyn.

The women expressed their wish that Candelario had entrusted them with the baby instead of leaving her all alone, abandoned and vulnerable.