A mother in Cleveland, Ohio has been indicted on murder charges after allegedly leaving her 16-month-old daughter alone for over a week while she went on vacation.
Kristel Candelario, a 31-year-old woman, made the shocking decision to leave her 16-month-old infant daughter home alone while embarking on a 10-day vacation, according to CBS News.
She departed from Cleveland and traveled to Detroit, Michigan, and Puerto Rico, leaving her child unattended.
Upon her return from the vacation, Candelario found her 16-month-old daughter unresponsive. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, she immediately called 911.
Authorities discovered the child in a distressing state, lying in a play-pen with dirty blankets and a soiled liner covered in urine and faeces.
Tragically, the child was severely dehydrated at the time of her death, underscoring the neglect and suffering she endured during her mother’s absence, according to WKYC.
Law enforcement swiftly took action, arresting Kristel Candelario on June 16. Subsequently, a grand jury indicted her on charges of aggravated murder, two counts of murder, felonious assault, and endangering children.
The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office investigations revealed that the child suffered no signs of trauma, and had died after being left alone and unattended for 10 days, according to NBC News.
Her neighbors shared that Candelario had previously asked them to care for her daughter before in the past, and didn’t know why this time she didn’t ask them for help again.
A neighbour described the deceased child as being amazing and really adorable and that she missed the baby a lot, adding that she didn’t deserve what happened to her.
The prosecutor’s office emphasized the enormity of the tragedy and the responsibility parents have to protect and care for their children.
The shocking circumstances surrounding the child’s last days, alone and suffering, have prompted a strong commitment to seeking justice on her behalf.
Kristel Candelario’s bond has been set at US$1 million, and a preliminary hearing into her case has been set for Wednesday.