An Ohio woman is facing a murder charge after allegedly admitting to suffocating her 3-year-old daughter with a plastic bag, according to court records and prosecutors.
Sharon Sakoulos, 41, is being held at the James A. Karnes Correctional Center following her arrest in connection with the death of her daughter, Cassidy. Authorities say the incident occurred Wednesday at their home in Columbus.
What Police Say Happened
Court documents state that officers from the Columbus Division of Police responded to a 911 call around 5:35 p.m. reporting that a child was not breathing. When officers arrived, they found Cassidy unresponsive and showing visible bruising.
The child was transported to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, where she was pronounced dead shortly after 6 p.m.
Police say Sakoulos later admitted to placing a plastic bag over her daughter’s head and holding it there until the child stopped moving. According to prosecutors, Sakoulos told investigators she intended to kill her daughter.
Witness Accounts Raise Concerns
Neighbors told local media they observed unusual behavior from Sakoulos when emergency responders arrived. Several described her demeanor as detached and said she was seen smoking a cigarette while medical crews worked to save the child.
One neighbor said Sakoulos frequently asked others to watch her daughter and claimed she often appeared inattentive.
Prosecutors Cite Mental Health History
During Sakoulos’ arraignment on Friday, prosecutors outlined a history of mental illness and prior encounters with law enforcement.
According to court records, Sakoulos pleaded guilty in 2023 to assaulting a police officer in a separate incident involving a container of cleaning chemicals. She was previously ruled incompetent to stand trial in 2022 and underwent treatment at Twin Valley Behavioral Healthcare.
Prosecutors also referenced an earlier 2016 case involving alleged assaults on police officers, though details about the outcome were not provided.
Sakoulos’ public defender told the court that she is a military veteran who was honorably discharged.
Charges and Next Steps
Sakoulos has been formally charged with murder. Her bond was set at $2 million during Friday’s arraignment.
She is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on January 9.
The investigation remains ongoing.
