CLEVELAND — Bionca Ellis, 33, accused of stabbing a 3-year-old boy and his mother in a local Giant Eagle parking lot, appeared before a judge for arraignment. The court proceeding became prolonged as the judge repeatedly asked Ellis if she had received her indictment.
During the hearing, Ellis initially appeared via video from the Cuyahoga County Jail, remaining silent with her head down. The judge questioned Ellis about her reluctance to answer inquiries.
Ellis’ lawyer mentioned her mental health issues when attempting to enter a not-guilty plea on her behalf.
After several delays, Ellis appeared in person before the judge and answered questions quietly. She stated that she did not wish to have her indictment read to her.
Prior to setting bond, Julian Wood’s father, the 3-year-old victim, expressed his desire to keep Ellis behind bars, calling her a “monster” who took everything from their family.
Ellis allegedly obtained a knife from a thrift store in North Olmsted and proceeded to a nearby Giant Eagle grocery store. Security footage captures her entering the store with the knife and encountering Margot Wood and Julian Wood outside.
While Julian was still in the shopping cart, Ellis reportedly stabbed him in the face and back, with Margot also sustaining a stab wound. Ellis was promptly arrested with the knife still in her possession.
North Olmsted Detective Sgt. Matt Beck clarified that there was no connection between the suspect and the victims, labeling the incident as a “random” attack. Ellis, upon arrest, requested a lawyer and did not provide a motive for the stabbing.
Following a Cuyahoga County grand jury indictment last week, Ellis faces charges such as murder, attempted murder, felonious assault, and endangering children. Her bond was initially set at $1 million in Rocky River Municipal Court before being increased to $5 million by a Cuyahoga County Common Pleas judge.
Charges against Ellis include 2 counts of murder, 2 counts of attempted murder, 2 counts of felony assault, 1 count of endangering children, 1 count of tampering with evidence, and 1 count of misdemeanor theft.
Ellis is scheduled for a pretrial on June 17 at 9 a.m.
