A Cleveland woman has been found guilty of fatally stabbing a three-year-old boy outside a local supermarket in a brutal and senseless attack that shocked the community. On Wednesday, October 15, the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office announced that a jury had convicted 34-year-old Bionca Ellis in the killing of young Julian Wood.
The verdict followed a week-and-a-half-long trial, during which Ellis’s attorneys entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity, citing her history of schizophrenia. The jury found Ellis guilty on nine counts, including aggravated murder, felonious assault, child endangering, and aggravated theft. She now awaits sentencing, scheduled for October 27. Ellis has been held in jail on a $5 million bond since her arrest.
Julian’s parents were present in court for the verdict. His mother, Margot Wood, fought back tears as she said, “This was for him today.” The deadly incident occurred on June 3, 2024. Prosecutors said Ellis first stole two knives from the Volunteers of America Thrift Store next to the Giant Eagle supermarket in North Olmsted, WKYC reported.
After taking the knives, she entered the supermarket, where she noticed Margot and her son shopping together. Surveillance footage later showed Ellis following them through the store and out to the parking lot. As Margot loaded groceries into her car, Ellis approached the shopping cart where Julian was sitting and began stabbing him without warning.
During her emotional testimony, Margot told the court that Ellis stabbed Julian in the face, then turned on her when she tried to intervene, stabbing her in the shoulder before attacking her son again. “She stabbed him in the back,” Margot said through tears, per ABC News.
Witnesses immediately called the police and tried to help the mother and child. One witness, Travis Bush, testified that he confronted Ellis moments after the stabbing. “I asked if she knew she had just stabbed a child,” he said. “She just shrugged.” North Olmsted police officers arrived quickly and found Ellis walking away from the scene, still holding a knife. She was arrested without incident.
Paramedics and officers provided first aid to both victims before transporting them to a nearby hospital. Margot was treated for her injuries, but Julian was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. The tragedy has left the community grieving and searching for answers. As Ellis awaits sentencing, Julian’s family says they are focused on honoring his memory and finding strength through justice. “He was innocent,” Margot said outside the courtroom. “He deserved so much more.”