Ohio Mom Left Her 16 Month Home Alone To Die While Going On Vacation

In a tragic case of child neglect, an Ohio mother has pleaded guilty to aggravated murder after leaving her 16-month-old daughter alone for 10 days while she vacationed.

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Kristel Candelario faced the consequences of her actions in a Cuyahoga County courtroom, where she also admitted to child endangerment.

How Did This Happen?

Last summer Candelario left her daughter, Jailyn, in a playpen at their Cleveland home while she traveled to Detroit and Puerto Rico.

When she returned, she found her daughter unresponsive and called 911.

Her toddler was found to be "extremely dehydrated" and was pronounced dead shortly after.

An autopsy confirmed the cause of death as starvation and severe dehydration.

Candlario Takes A Plea Deal

Candelario's plea agreement led to the dismissal of two additional murder counts and a felonious assault charge.

She now awaits sentencing on March 18, facing a potential life term.

Prosecutor Michael O'Malley said in a statement last summer.

"It is unfathomable that a mother would leave her 16-month-old child alone without any supervision for 10 days to go on a vacation. As parents, we are supposed to protect and care for our children, Imagining this child's suffering, during her last days of life alone, is truly horrifying and we will do everything in our power to seek justice on her behalf."

If this woman doesn't end up behind bars for the rest of her life then justice has not been served.