Topline: Authorities confirm the mother has a history of mental health treatment and previously received an honorable discharge from the U.S. military.
Published: January 5, 2026 10:50 am ET
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Sharon Sakoulos (via Franklin County Municipal Court)
COLUMBUS, OH — An Ohio mother is facing a murder charge after police say she suffocated her 3-year-old daughter on New Year’s Eve, a case that has left the community stunned.
According to WSYX, officers responded around 5:30 p.m. Dec. 31 to a home on the 1400 block of Orson Drive after receiving a report that a child was not breathing. Police found Cassidy Sakoulos unresponsive, and she was transported to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, where she was pronounced dead just after 6 p.m.
Columbus police told WBNS that the preliminary investigation determined Cassidy’s death was a homicide motivated by domestic violence. Court records show that Cassidy had visible bruising, and detectives said her mother, 41-year-old Sharon Sakoulos, admitted to placing a plastic bag over the child’s head until she stopped responding. According to the affidavit cited by WBNS, Sakoulos told detectives she intended to kill Cassidy when she suffocated her.
The Columbus Dispatch reports that police homicide detectives confirmed Sakoulos “admitted to committing the murder” of her daughter, and court records indicate Cassidy had bruising on her body at the time of her death. Scott Varner, communications director for Franklin County Children Services, told the Dispatch that the agency was not actively involved with Sakoulos at the time, though they had previously worked with her, with the last contact more than a year and a half ago.
Sakoulos made her first court appearance Jan. 2 in Franklin County Municipal Court. According to the Dispatch, Judge Cynthia Ebner set bond at $2 million. Court documents show that, if Sakoulos were to post bond, she would be prohibited from leaving the county and from having any contact with minors, including her 13-year-old daughter. The Columbus Dispatch also reported that an assistant public defender noted Sakoulos received an honorable discharge from the U.S. military and holds a bachelor’s degree, while an assistant prosecutor said she had a history of mental health treatment.
Police continue to investigate the case. WSYX and WBNS report that anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Columbus Division of Police Detective Brandt at 614-645-4077, the homicide unit at 614-645-4730, or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-TIPS (8477).
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Columbus Mother Accused of Placing Bag Over Daughter’s Head Had History of Mental Health Treatment
Authorities confirm the mother has a history of mental health treatment and previously received an honorable discharge from the U.S. military.
By Jacob Charles
Published: January 5, 2026 10:50 am ET
Sharon Sakoulos (via Franklin County Municipal Court)
COLUMBUS, OH — An Ohio mother is facing a murder charge after police say she suffocated her 3-year-old daughter on New Year’s Eve, a case that has left the community stunned.
According to WSYX, officers responded around 5:30 p.m. Dec. 31 to a home on the 1400 block of Orson Drive after receiving a report that a child was not breathing. Police found Cassidy Sakoulos unresponsive, and she was transported to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, where she was pronounced dead just after 6 p.m.
Columbus police told WBNS that the preliminary investigation determined Cassidy’s death was a homicide motivated by domestic violence. Court records show that Cassidy had visible bruising, and detectives said her mother, 41-year-old Sharon Sakoulos, admitted to placing a plastic bag over the child’s head until she stopped responding. According to the affidavit cited by WBNS, Sakoulos told detectives she intended to kill Cassidy when she suffocated her.
The Columbus Dispatch reports that police homicide detectives confirmed Sakoulos “admitted to committing the murder” of her daughter, and court records indicate Cassidy had bruising on her body at the time of her death. Scott Varner, communications director for Franklin County Children Services, told the Dispatch that the agency was not actively involved with Sakoulos at the time, though they had previously worked with her, with the last contact more than a year and a half ago.
Sakoulos made her first court appearance Jan. 2 in Franklin County Municipal Court. According to the Dispatch, Judge Cynthia Ebner set bond at $2 million. Court documents show that, if Sakoulos were to post bond, she would be prohibited from leaving the county and from having any contact with minors, including her 13-year-old daughter. The Columbus Dispatch also reported that an assistant public defender noted Sakoulos received an honorable discharge from the U.S. military and holds a bachelor’s degree, while an assistant prosecutor said she had a history of mental health treatment.
Police continue to investigate the case. WSYX and WBNS report that anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Columbus Division of Police Detective Brandt at 614-645-4077, the homicide unit at 614-645-4730, or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-TIPS (8477).
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Columbus Mother Accused of Placing Bag Over Daughter’s Head Had History of Mental Health Treatment
Authorities confirm the mother has a history of mental health treatment and previously received an honorable discharge from the U.S. military.
By Jacob Charles
Published: January 5, 2026 10:50 am ET
Sharon Sakoulos (via Franklin County Municipal Court)
COLUMBUS, OH — An Ohio mother is facing a murder charge after police say she suffocated her 3-year-old daughter on New Year’s Eve, a case that has left the community stunned.
According to WSYX, officers responded around 5:30 p.m. Dec. 31 to a home on the 1400 block of Orson Drive after receiving a report that a child was not breathing. Police found Cassidy Sakoulos unresponsive, and she was transported to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, where she was pronounced dead just after 6 p.m.
Columbus police told WBNS that the preliminary investigation determined Cassidy’s death was a homicide motivated by domestic violence. Court records show that Cassidy had visible bruising, and detectives said her mother, 41-year-old Sharon Sakoulos, admitted to placing a plastic bag over the child’s head until she stopped responding. According to the affidavit cited by WBNS, Sakoulos told detectives she intended to kill Cassidy when she suffocated her.
The Columbus Dispatch reports that police homicide detectives confirmed Sakoulos “admitted to committing the murder” of her daughter, and court records indicate Cassidy had bruising on her body at the time of her death. Scott Varner, communications director for Franklin County Children Services, told the Dispatch that the agency was not actively involved with Sakoulos at the time, though they had previously worked with her, with the last contact more than a year and a half ago.
Sakoulos made her first court appearance Jan. 2 in Franklin County Municipal Court. According to the Dispatch, Judge Cynthia Ebner set bond at $2 million. Court documents show that, if Sakoulos were to post bond, she would be prohibited from leaving the county and from having any contact with minors, including her 13-year-old daughter. The Columbus Dispatch also reported that an assistant public defender noted Sakoulos received an honorable discharge from the U.S. military and holds a bachelor’s degree, while an assistant prosecutor said she had a history of mental health treatment.
Police continue to investigate the case. WSYX and WBNS report that anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Columbus Division of Police Detective Brandt at 614-645-4077, the homicide unit at 614-645-4730, or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-TIPS (8477).
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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