CLEVELAND — As Bionca Ellis faced a judge during an arraignment hearing Monday on multiple charges connected to the stabbing death of 3-year-old Julian Wood outside of a Giant Eagle in North Olmsted, the boy's father took a moment to ask the judge to make sure the suspect stays behind bars.
"That day, one week ago, she took everything from us," Julian's father said in the courtroom. "There’s nothing that could ever replace my son or anything that my wife and I, even our other kids, are going through. It’s horrendous. I really wish no bail. Period. Or extend it to the maximum limit possible that you can, at the very least. Just do whatever you can to keep this monster behind bars.”
The judge ultimately set bond at $5 million.
When the arraignment hearing first began, Ellis appeared via video while holding her head down as Judge Nancy Margaret Russo asked her a series of questions -- many of which Ellis did not answer. Eventually, Ellis was brought into the courtroom to appear in person as the judge formally read through the indictment.
You can watch the entire court hearing in the video below:
CASE DETAILS
North Olmsted police said it was shortly after 3 p.m. on Monday, June 3, when Julian and his mother, 38-year-old Margot Wood, were stabbed in the parking lot of the Giant Eagle in the 27200 block of Lorain Road.
Both were taken to the hospital for treatment, but the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office later said Julian died from his injuries. Margot is expected to make a full recovery, according to police.
When officers responded to the situation, they found the suspect -- identified as Ellis -- walking toward Dover Center Road holding a knife. She was taken into custody without incident.
As police continue their investigation, they have said it appears this was “a random act of violence” as Ellis had no prior interactions with the victims before the stabbing.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE OF THIS STORY...
- Bond set at $5 million for Bionca Ellis: Woman accused of killing 3-year-old Julian Wood in stabbing outside North Olmsted Giant Eagle
- Photos: Community holds memory line for 3-year-old boy killed in double stabbing outside North Olmsted Giant Eagle
- Newly released surveillance video shows moments leading up to fatal stabbing of 3-year-old boy in North Olmsted
- Suspect accused of stabbing, killing 3-year-old boy at Giant Eagle in North Olmsted indicted