A deranged woman has been found guilty of stabbing a random 3-year-old boy to death as he sat in a grocery cart outside an Ohio supermarket in a frenzied murder that lasted just five seconds.
Bionca Ellis, 34, was convicted by a jury on Wednesday of butchering Julian Wood and injuring his mother, Margot Wood, in the parking lot of a Giant Eagle grocery store in suburban Cleveland in June last year.
The sick perp had targeted the toddler just as his mom was starting to unload groceries into her vehicle, jurors heard during the weeklong trial.
Ellis — armed with two kitchen knives she’d just stolen from a nearby thrift store — charged at the pair, stabbing the youngster twice before strolling away.
The fatal attack lasted only five seconds, the court heard.
Little Julian was rushed to a hospital, where he later died, while his mom was treated for stab wounds to her shoulder.
Prosecutors said the mother was injured as she frantically tried to pull her son from the shopping cart during the brutal attack.
Ellis, who was nabbed by cops just moments after the bloodshed, entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity.
Still, jurors convicted her on nine criminal counts, including aggravated murder, felonious assault, child endangering and aggravated theft.
The toddler’s parents, Margot and Jared Wood, issued a statement immediately after the jurors reached their verdict.
“We just want to thank everyone for the love and support for our son,” they said. “Everybody that’s visited him, commented, sent love, we appreciate you guys so much. This was for him today.”
Ellis, who has been held in jail on a $5 million bond since being indicted by a grand jury last year, will be sentenced Oct. 27.
The killer is facing life in prison with or without the opportunity for parole.
With Post wires
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