CLEVELAND, OH – A man accused of killing a 1-year-old girl has pleaded guilty to murder, months after initially pleading not guilty by reason of insanity in a case that rattled the Cleveland community.
Michael Mayor, 34, appeared in court Thursday to admit responsibility for the young child’s death, which occurred while she was under his care last December. Mayor, husband of the girl’s babysitter, had been left alone with the toddler for a short period while his wife took other children to school.
Authorities said the incident unfolded on Dec. 5, 2024. When Mayor’s wife returned home, she believed the little girl was simply taking a nap. But after hours passed and the child remained unresponsive, emergency services were called. Paramedics transported the child to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with numerous traumatic injuries, including a skull fracture and a subdural hematoma.
Medical professionals determined that the injuries, described as “complex” and “severe,” were caused by significant force. The treating physician told investigators the trauma could only have been caused by a violent impact.
During the police investigation, Mayor reportedly admitted that he became frustrated with the child’s crying and forcibly slammed her head on the bedroom floor several times. He also told authorities that he initially shook the child before escalating the violence. Police reports indicate that after she stopped crying, Mayor left the girl alone, believing she had fallen asleep.
Mayor was arrested less than a week later, facing charges of felonious assault and child endangerment. Following the child’s death on Dec. 20, the charges were upgraded to include three counts of murder. He was held in jail on a $1 million bond.
In February, Mayor entered a not guilty plea by reason of insanity. However, a court evaluation the following month determined he was mentally competent to stand trial. A trial date was originally set for June, but before proceedings began, Mayor reversed course and accepted a plea agreement.
Prosecutors dropped the remaining charges as part of the deal, with Mayor pleading guilty to a single count of murder. He now awaits sentencing, which is scheduled for Aug. 5.