Woman who stabbed toddler to death in car park found guilty after smirking in court
Little Julian Wood was killed by Bionca Ellis after she followed the boy and his mum in a supermarket in Ohio, US, before knifing them both as they put groceries into their car
A woman who stabbed a three-year-old boy to death in a random supermarket car park attack has been found guilty of killing the toddler.
Tragic Julian Wood and his mother Margot Wood were attacked outside a Giant Eagle supermarket in North Olmstead, Ohio, last summer. The mother was about to load her shopping into her car when Bionca Ellis ran at them with a knife and stabbed them both.
Both were rushed to a nearby hospital by paramedics, but the infant succumbed to his injuries and couldn't be saved after he suffered stab wounds to his back and cheek. Margot survived the harrowing ordeal and is attempting to rebuild her life following the attack in June 2024.
Killer Ellis stole two knives from the Volunteers of America Thrift Store, located next to the Giant Eagle supermarket and used them to attack the mother and her child. She entered the store before locating Julian and his mother and proceeded to follow them as they left.
Ellis, of Cleveland, will be sentenced next week following her ten-day trial. She was found guilty on nine charges, including aggravated murder, felonious assault, child endangering and aggravated theft.
She has been held in jail on a $5million (£3,7100,000) bond since being indicted last year.
The 34-year-old has a history of schizophrenia and her lawyers entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity.
Travis Bush, a witness of the attack, testified in court and confronted Ellis, asking if she knew she had just stabbed a child. Ellis only responded with a shrug, he testified.
Mrs Wood and Jared Wood, the toddler's father, delivered a statement after the verdict thanking the community for its support. “Everybody that’s visited him, commented, sent love, we appreciate you guys so much,” the parent said outside court. “This was for him today.”
The quick response of the North Olmsted division officers led to the apprehension of the suspect and immediate first aid for the victims. "Our hearts go out to the two victims of what appears to be a random act of violence," said North Olmsted Mayor Nicole Dailey Jones in a heartfelt statement.
Giant Eagle has released a statement about the incident at the time, stating: "We are aware of the reported incident and are working with the authorities. For the moment, they (the authorities) are the best source for information."
Abby Weaver, a local resident, said to News 5: "I am just completely shocked because I have grown up here my whole life, so I was just even shocked to hear that that happened. It's just tragic to hear that it happened so close to our home."