Mom who left toddler alone to go on 10-day vacation pleads guilty to murder
A mother who left her 16-month-old baby alone so she could go on vacation for 10 days pleaded guilty to aggravated murder.
The Associated Press reported on Friday, Feb. 23 that aside from aggravated murder, Kristel Candelario from Ohio also pleaded guilty to child endangerment.
The media outlet said it was under a plea deal with prosecutors at Cuyahoga Country, who "agreed to dismiss two murder counts and a felonious assault charge."
According to authorities, Candelario left her child Jailyn in their home so she can enjoy a trip to Detroit and Puerto Rico in 2023. She immediately called 911 when she found Jailyn unresponsive in her playpen, which had soiled blankets and a bottom liner with urine and feces.
Medical responders found that Jailyn was "extremely dehydrated," declaring her dead a few moments after her arrival at the hospital.
Her autopsy showed that she died of severe dehydration and starvation.
The 32-year-old mom is set to face a life term when she’s sentenced on March 18.