Child found dead in Columbus home as mother charged with murder
COLUMBUS, OH – A quiet residential block on the city’s west side became the scene of a homicide investigation Wednesday evening after a 3-year-old girl was found unresponsive inside a home, leading to the arrest of her mother within hours.
Officers were dispatched to the 1400 block of Orson Drive at 5:34 p.m. Wednesday after receiving a report of a child not breathing. When officers arrived, they located Cassidy Sakoulos, 3, with no signs of life. Life-saving measures were immediately attempted until medics arrived, and the child was transported to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 6:06 p.m.
According to Columbus police, the preliminary investigation determined the killing was motivated by domestic violence. Cassidy’s mother, Sharon Sakoulos, 41, admitted to committing the homicide and was taken into custody at the scene.
Authorities have not released further details about the events leading up to the child’s death or the manner in which she was killed. Police confirmed the investigation remains ongoing.
The case is being handled by the Columbus Division of Police, and formal charges are expected to proceed through the Franklin County court system.
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Key Points
- A 3-year-old girl was found unresponsive in a Columbus home Wednesday evening
- Police determined the homicide was motivated by domestic violence
- The child’s mother was arrested after admitting to the killing