Ohio woman charged in fatal stabbing of 3-year-old, injuring his mother in random attack

A woman wearing all black charged at the mother and son with a kitchen knife, stabbing the toddler in the face and his mother, 38-year-old Margot Wood, in the shoulder on Monday when they were walking out of the grocery store. Police received a 911 call at around 3 pm on Monday that the stabbing had occurred when the mother and son were headed back to their vehicle after a trip to get groceries. The mother and son were rushed to St. John Medical Center in Westlake.

Ellis was then found by police, walking in the area and reportedly still holding the weapon. Ellis was arraigned on Tuesday and her bond was set at $1 million.

On Tuesday, the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner confirmed that 3-year-old Julian Wood died at the hospital following the stabbing. Margot Wood was "treated for non-life-threatening injuries and is expected to make a full recovery."

Police Detective Sgt. Matt Beck said that the mother will physically recover from the stabbing attack but will likely suffer from the trauma of losing her son for the rest of her life. Police told reporters that the stabbing attack appeared to be random and that the victims had not interacted with the suspect prior to the incident. Security footage revealed Ellis on video purchasing the knife at a local Volunteers of America store. She was seen following the two to their car with the knife in hand.

"First and foremost, I want to express my deepest and most sincere condolences to the family of the three-year-old boy who unfortunately passed away yesterday after being stabbed in a random attack at the North Olmsted Giant Eagle supermarket," North Olmsted Mayor Nicole Dailey Jones said in a statement.

"This was a terrible tragedy for our entire community. As North Olmsted Mayor, and a mother myself, I cannot fathom what this family must be going through. To lose their youngest child in such a violent and senseless manner is absolutely heartbreaking. I know that all the residents of North Olmsted join me in sharing their profound grief."