A woman has been arrested in connection with the stabbing death of a 3-year-old boy in front of his mother at a grocery store. was deemed incompetent Stand trial.
Police said shopping center video showed suspect Bionca Ellis, 32, of Cleveland, stalking a mother and her young son inside a Giant Eagle grocery store in North Olmsted in June. Ellis allegedly chased them into the parking lot and began stabbing the mother and child in what police are calling a completely random attack.
“Bionca has been on several medications in the past, but they have not been effective.”
Ellis was indicted in June on a string of charges, including murder, attempted murder, assault and child endangerment.
During a 20-day examination, a doctor determined Ellis was not competent to stand trial, according to Cuyahoga County District Court documents.
“With treatment, there is a high probability that he will regain his competency within the statutory time frame,” the doctor said.
Ellis will undergo treatment at North Coast Behavioral Health for the legally required year and then be remanded into the custody of the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office. If treatment restores his competency, he could be tried in court.
Authorities were criticized for failing to treat Ellis' alleged mental illness just days before the deadly attack.
A judge ordered Ellis to undergo a psychiatric evaluation after he was charged with violating probation for stealing items from a Walmart last year.
“I'm not sure she fully understands the simple requirements that the court has imposed on her,” Rocky River District Court Judge Gregory Sponsler said in June.
However, because there were no mental health professionals available at the time, Ellis was released.
A few days later, Ellis allegedly stabbed the toddler to death.
The suspect has had multiple run-ins with police in other states, and her mother says the police system has failed her daughter.
“Bionca had been on several medications but nothing worked. She was suffering from visions and auditory hallucinations,” Yolanda Eggleton said.
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