A woman who left her 16-month-old daughter to starve while she went on vacation to Puerto Rico for 10 days was sentenced to life in prison this week in Ohio, US, according to a report. Mirror.
The case began in June 2023 in Ohio, when Christel Candelario decided to go on vacation to the beaches of Puerto Rico without the company of her daughter. The baby was found dead in her crib along with “urine, feces and dirty blankets,” according to police sources.
An autopsy revealed clear signs of extreme dehydration, suggesting that the underlying cause of death was starvation.
The 36-year-old woman initially told police that her daughter had been vomiting all week and therefore had no food in her system, causing her to lose weight. The version contradicted the facts established during the investigation.
While Kristel was on vacation, she spent a few minutes relaxing on the beach in Puerto Rico, adding that the “time spent” will be the one “truly lived.”
The woman pleaded guilty in February after denying committing the crime during several interrogations where she always showed a cold demeanor.
The judge in the case sentenced Kristen to life in prison, saying the woman’s fate would be confined to a cell.
The bailiff compared the arrest to the period during which a 16-month-old child was in custody. “The only difference is that in prison you will not be denied food and water,” he added.
Kristen Candelario faces depression and other mental health problems, but at her last court appearance she expressed remorse. “I’m not trying to justify my actions, but no one knew what I went through,” he admitted. He also stated that he prayed for forgiveness every day.