Matthew J. Ponomarenko, 34, from Parma, Ohio, was sentenced on November 9, 2023, to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after 45 years for the murder of his son, Jax Ponomarenko.
The five-year-old autistic boy was killed by his father using a baseball bat in their Russell Avenue residence on March 25, 2021.
Ponomarenko’s arrest followed a troubling 911 call he made, confessing to the murder and indicating he was experiencing auditory hallucinations. Upon arrival, police officers found Jax in the living room, having suffered multiple severe injuries to his head and face, which resulted in his death. The investigation into the incident revealed instances of severe abuse and torture.
Originally, Ponomarenko pleaded not guilty after being indicted in August 2021. He later altered his plea to guilty, leading to a sentence encompassing aggravated murder, child endangerment, and a kidnapping charge. This plea agreement resulted in a reduction of charges from capital murder and the dismissal of an additional child endangerment charge.
A key focus of the trial was Ponomarenko’s mental health. He was declared competent to stand trial based on a pretrial report, leading his defense attorneys to withdraw a serious mental illness claim to avoid further legal requirements.
Jax, who had autism, communicated using a tablet. His death has profoundly impacted both his family and the wider community.
Ponomarenko’s past includes a conviction for child endangerment in 2017. He was detained on a $5 million bond and credited with 960 days of jail time already served before sentencing. Under Ohio’s Reagan Tokes Law, Ponomarenko might be subjected to an additional four years in prison before becoming eligible for parole due to indefinite sentencing rules.
During his plea hearing, Ponomarenko was temporarily removed for speaking inappropriately to the judge but was later permitted to return and provide a statement. If released, he is mandated to register as a violent offender.
The extreme nature of the crime and Ponomarenko’s open admission have brought considerable attention to this case. The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office has emphasized that the life sentence brings closure to this deeply tragic case.