In the stillness of the Cleveland night, Jailyn’s cries pierced the air, unheard and unanswered.
Left alone in a playpen with only bottles of milk, the 16-month-old toddler whimpered and howled while her mother, Kristel Candelario, embarked on a 10-day summer vacation in Puerto Rico, according to prosecutors.
A neighbor’s doorbell camera captured the haunting sounds of Jailyn’s distress, including a particularly heart-wrenching scream around 1 a.m. two days after her mother’s departure.
Meanwhile, Candelario was hundreds of miles away enjoying her vacation with a male companion.
Upon her return home on June 16 last year, after days spent at the beach and a stopover in Detroit, she made a devastating discovery—her daughter had passed away during her absence.
Jailyn had been left alone for about 10 days, enduring excruciating suffering that included starvation, thirst, and extreme separation anxiety.
Forensic pathologist Elizabeth Mooney, speaking at Candelario’s sentencing, described the unimaginable pain and anguish endured by Jailyn in her final days, emphasizing the prolonged agony of abandonment, hunger, and thirst.
Candelario pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated murder and child endangerment. During the sentencing, details emerged of Jailyn’s dehydrated and emaciated state at the time of discovery.
The court heard about the heartbreaking condition in which Jailyn was found, lying on a soiled mattress, emaciated, with sunken eyes and dry lips, evidence of prolonged neglect and suffering.
The sentencing marked the conclusion of a case described by investigators as one of the most horrific they’ve encountered.
Law enforcement officials, deeply affected by Jailyn’s tragic fate, expressed their emotional turmoil during the proceedings.
Security footage showing Candelario’s departure for and return from vacation, juxtaposed with the grim reality of Jailyn’s condition upon discovery, painted a harrowing picture of neglect and abandonment.
Assistant Prosecutor Anna Faraglia recounted the distressing details of Jailyn’s final days, highlighting the stark contrast between Candelario’s actions and the carelessness that led to Jailyn’s suffering and death.
The heartbreaking 911 call made by Candelario upon her return, pleading for help as she realized the gravity of the situation, further underscored the tragic consequences of her neglect.
Despite efforts to conceal the extent of Jailyn’s suffering, including dressing her in a clean outfit before emergency responders arrived, the profound neglect and mistreatment were evident.
The prosecution emphasized that Jailyn’s condition was worse than that of neglected infants, highlighting the severity of Candelario’s actions and the devastating impact on Jailyn’s short life.
Source-CNN
