3-year-old girl died after her 41-year-old mother “treated” for mental illness held a bag tightly over her head until the girl stopped moving just because she intended to kill her; mother charged

Ohio – In a deeply disturbing incident in Ohio, a 41-year-old mother, identified as S. Sakoulos, is accused of intentionally killing her 3-year-old daughter by suffocating her with a bag, an act prosecutors say was deliberate and deadly. The mother has been charged with murder after allegedly admitting to police that she meant to end her child’s life when she placed the bag over the girl’s head and held it there until the child stopped moving.

Sakoulos is currently being held in custody following her arrest and faces a single count of murder. Authorities say the charge was filed after the mother confessed during a police interview that the killing was intentional, not accidental. Court documents describe the case as a homicide rooted in domestic violence, with clear evidence of purposeful harm inflicted on a defenseless child.

The fatal events unfolded on Wednesday evening inside Sakoulos’ home. At approximately 5:35 p.m., police officers were dispatched after receiving a call reporting that a child was not breathing. When first responders arrived, they found a 3-year-old girl unresponsive. Police noted visible bruising on the child’s body at the scene, raising immediate concerns. Emergency crews rushed the toddler to a hospital in a desperate effort to save her life. Despite medical intervention, the child was pronounced dead shortly after arrival, at approximately 6:06 p.m.

As detectives began their investigation, attention quickly turned to the child’s mother. According to court records, Sakoulos was interviewed by police and confessed to the act. Investigators say she told them she held a bag tightly over her daughter’s head until the child stopped responding and moving. Authorities said Sakoulos reportedly admitted her intent. Court documents state that she told police she intended to kill her daughter when she carried out the act. That admission became a central factor in the murder charge filed against her.

Neighbors who witnessed the aftermath described disturbing behavior from Sakoulos as emergency crews arrived. Several told local media that the mother appeared detached and showed little visible emotion during the crisis. One neighbor recalled that Sakoulos had “weird energy” and was often asking others to watch her child. Another neighbor described the scene in chilling terms, saying, “The ambulance came, and she was standing there smoking a cigarette. And we were like, ‘That’s weird,’ especially since the way the mom was standing there, like, reactionless.”

Police confirmed that the young girl showed no signs of life when they arrived. The preliminary investigation concluded that the child’s death was a homicide, not a medical emergency or accident. During Sakoulos’ arraignment, prosecutors outlined a lengthy history of mental health struggles and prior interactions with law enforcement. They stated that she has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and has previously been hospitalized for mental illness. In 2022, Sakoulos was deemed incompetent to stand trial in an unrelated case and was ordered to receive treatment at a behavioral healthcare hospital.

Prosecutors also revealed that Sakoulos pleaded guilty in 2023 to assaulting a police officer after she threw a container of cleaning substance at an officer during a 2020 incident. She was also accused of assaulting officers in a separate 2016 case. Her public defender told the court that Sakoulos is a military veteran who was honorably discharged, a detail noted but not presented as a defense to the charge. At her arraignment, a judge set Sakoulos’ bond at $2 million. She is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on January 9, where prosecutors are expected to formally present evidence supporting the murder charge. As the legal process moves forward, the 3-year-old girl’s death stands as a grim reminder of the vulnerability of young children and the devastating consequences when violence enters the home.