‘She took everything from us’: Father of 3-year-old murdered at North Olmsted Giant Eagle speaks in court

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The woman accused of stabbing three-year-old Julian Wood to death in the parking lot of the North Olmsted Giant Eagle store, appeared in Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas Monday.

Bionca Ellis initially refused to lift her head during the video hearing or answer the judge’s questions about whether or not she had seen the indictment. Judge Nancy Margaret Russo then ordered an attorney with the public defender’s office to go to the jail and read Ellis the indictment.

About 45 minutes later, Ellis was brought into the courtroom and pleaded not guilty to all the charges; including, aggravated murder.

“Do everything you can to keep this monster behind bars,” said Julian’s dad, Jared Wood, in court.

Judge Russo then set bond at $5 million. It was also announced in court the prosecution is seeking the death penalty in this case.

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Julian was with his mother, Margot, 37, when they were attacked.

Margot was also injured, but survived.

North Olmsted police arrested Ellis, 32, of Cleveland, minutes after the attack, walking on Dover Center Road with the knife believed to be used in the attack.

According to North Olmsted Police Det. Sgt. Matthew Beck and Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley, Ellis stole two knives from the Volunteers of America Thrift Store, next door to Giant Eagle.

She then allegedly walked into Giant Eagle, spotted the victims walking out and followed them, immediately stabbing Julian, who was sitting in the shopping cart.

Margot was stabbed while trying to pull her child from the grocery cart, said O’Malley.

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Ellis was indicted on the charges of:

• 1 count of aggravated murder
• 2 counts of murder
• 2 counts of attempted murder
• 1 count of endangering children
• 1 count of tampering with evidence
• 1 count of misdemeanor theft

“This case is truly devastating. I want to express my heartfelt condolences to the Wood family during this difficult time,” said Cuyahoga County Prosecutor O’Malley. “As a father, I could not begin to imagine this grief, but I can promise that we will do everything in our power to bring justice for Julian Wood and the Wood family.”

North Olmsted police said the attack appears to be random.

Julian’s funeral was held on Saturday, June 8.

Ellis is scheduled to return to court on June 17.

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