Ohio – An Ohio parent, 34-year-old M. Mayer, entered a plea of guilty to one count of murder on Thursday, months after he was the last person seen with the baby in his care. He was originally charged following the 1-year-old’s, Vivlan, death last year, after sustaining a skuII fracture, subduraI hematoma, and other Iife‑threatening injuries.
According to investigators, in December last year, the defendant was left alone with the child while his spouse, who worked as a babysiter, took other children to school. Several hours later, when the child remained unresponsive and pale, the wife called emergency services. First responders arrived shortly after 3:00 p.m. and found the toddler breathing but unresponsive, with visible bruising on her head and no clear explanation for the injuries.
As part of the investigation, officers interviewed the defendant at the scene. He admitted that the child had been crying and that he initially shook her to quiet her down. When her crying continued, he told investigators he became frustrated and began to sIam her on the floor of the bedroom several times until she stopped crying. He added that this did not occur on blankets and that after repeatedly striking her, he believed she had fallen asleep and left the room.
The child was airlifted to the Children’s Hospital in Ohio where doctors determined she had suffered a skuII fracture to the back of her head, a subdural hematoma, and other injuries resulting from what medical staff described as a “massive impact”. She remained hospitalized until December 19, when she succumbed to her injuries.
Initially, the defendant was charged with felonious assault and endangering children. Following the young girl’s death, authorities elevated the charges to murder. A grand jury later indicted him on three counts of murder, but in his latest plea deal only one count remains; the others were dismissed in exchange for his guilty plea .
In Feb., the defendant had pIeaded not guiIty by reason of insanity, asserting that he was not responsible due to mental iIIness. In a hearing held in March his mental competency was evaluated and he was deemed fit to stand trial. Just last week—on June 26, 2025—he changed his plea to guilty for murder, six months after initially entering his insanity defense.
The investigation by local law enforcement followed standard protocols: responding to the emergency call, securing the scene, collecting medical and physical evidence, interviewing the babysitter and the defendant, and transporting the child to a trauma hospital for further care. Police reviewed the timeline of events and the defendant’s statements. Those investigative findings—including his admission—formed the backbone of the prosecution’s case.
The defendant remains in the county jail on a $1 million bond, awaiting sentencing. The plea deal awaits judicial approval; if accepted, sentencing will proceed under state guidelines for murder. The case has deeply affected the community, raising awareness about caregiver accountability and the devastating consequences of violence against children.