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Parma father accused of killing 5-year-old son held on $5 million bond

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Posted at 10:46 AM, Mar 31, 2021
and last updated 2021-03-31 10:46:58-04

PARMA, Ohio — A 31-year-old Parma man who allegedly beat his son to death with a baseball bat last week was given a $5 million bond at a hearing in Cuyahoga County court on Wednesday.

The suspect, Matthew J. Ponomarenko, is charged with aggravated murder for the death of his son Jax.

On March 25, Parma police responded to a home in the block of 4700 Russell Avenue after the father called 911. In the call, Ponomarenko told a dispatcher that he was "hearing voices" and he killed his son.

RELATED: ‘I just killed my son...I am hearing voices’ — Parma man charged with murder of 5-year-old boy

Ponomarenko first appeared in Parma Muncipal Court on Monday, where bond and bailed were denied, and his case was transferred to the Cuyahoga Coury of Common Pleas.

RELATED: Bond denied at initial court appearance for Parma father who admitted to killing 5-year-old son

No early disposition conference was scheduled on Wednesday in court; Ponomarenko's case will be presented directly to a grand jury for consideration, at the request of the state.

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