CLEVELAND, AP — Ohio prosecutors have announced murder charges against a woman in the death of her 16-month-old daughter, who authorities say was left alone for 10 days while the woman went on vacation. .
The Cuyahoga County District Attorney’s Office said Monday that Kristel A. Candelario, 31, was charged last week with one count of aggravated murder, two counts of murder and one count of felony assault and endangerment of children.
Prosecutors alleged that Candelario left the child “alone and unattended” at her Cleveland home on June 6 for a vacation in Detroit and Puerto Rico and did not return until the morning of June 16. Authorities say she called police after finding the child unresponsive upon her return. .
Cleveland police and firefighters responded and the victim, who was described as “extremely dehydrated”, was pronounced dead.
“It is inconceivable that a mother would leave her 16-month-old child alone unsupervised for 10 days to go on vacation,” prosecutor Michael O’Malley said in a statement.
“As parents, we are supposed to protect and care for our children,” O’Malley wrote. “To imagine the suffering of this child, during her last days of life alone, is truly horrific and we will do everything in our power to seek justice on her behalf.”
It is not known if Candelario has a lawyer. Court records did not list an attorney for her, and the county public defender’s office said Friday that he was not representing her at the time.