Inset: Julian Wood (Ripepi Funeral Home). Background: Bionca Ellis appears in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, court on Oct. 15, 2025 (WKYC/YouTube).
A woman”s fate has been sealed after she stabbed a toddler to death in front of his mother outside an Ohio grocery store.
Bionca Ellis, 34, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in October 2025 after being found guilty of aggravated murder in the death of 3-year-old Julian Wood, as Law&Crime previously reported. She was also found guilty of eight other charges, including attempted murder, felonious assault and endangering children.
On Thursday, the Eighth District Court of Appeals announced that it upheld Ellis’ conviction and life sentence, according to Cleveland NBC affiliate WKYC.
The appellate court rejected arguments raised by the defendant’s attorneys that a state expert erred in explaining the legal standard for an insanity defense and that the prosecutor improperly spoke during closing arguments.
It was midday on June 3, 2024, and 37-year-old Margot Wood and her son were shopping at a Giant Eagle supermarket in North Olmsted, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland. Ellis was next door at a Volunteers of America Thrift Store, where she “stole two knives,” authorities said.
Ellis then reportedly walked into the supermarket, “spotted” the mother and son, and “followed them.” Wood paid for their groceries, and they left the store and walked into the parking lot.
As they did so, Ellis lurked behind.
The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office said Ellis followed the mother and son to their vehicle and “immediately stabbed the 3-year-old,” who was in a shopping cart, “multiple times.”
“His mother attempted to pull him out and was also stabbed,” the prosecutor’s office added. “Several people called the police and reported the stabbing.”
North Olmsted police officers responded to the scene and saw Ellis walking toward a nearby road “with a knife in her hand,” authorities added. She was arrested.
Wood and Julian were transported to an area hospital, where the child was pronounced dead.
Wood was treated for her injuries. She remembered her son when a jury found Ellis guilty last year.
“We just want to thank everyone for the love and support for our son,” Wood said, per the local TV station. “Everybody that’s visited him, commented, sent love, we appreciate you guys so much. This was for him today.”
Ellis had reportedly submitted a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity. Authorities do not believe Ellis and the victims had any prior connection and believe the attack was a “random act of violence.” Jurors deliberated about 24 hours before returning the guilty verdict in fall 2025.
Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley said his “thoughts and prayers remain with the Wood family. I can’t imagine the anguish they must feel after the loss of Julian.”
