Ohio Man Sentenced 15 Years to Life for Murdering Toddler

Michael Mayor, 34, was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for the murder of 1-year-old Vivian Gardner in Ohio after pleading guilty in June 2025. Mayor admitted to violently shaking and repeatedly slamming Vivian's head against the bedroom floor multiple times until she stopped crying while he was caring for her. The baby suffered a fractured skull, subdural hematoma, and other severe injuries from the massive impact, ultimately dying on December 19, 2024. Initially charged with felonious assault and child endangerment, the charges were upgraded to murder following Vivian's death, though all but one were later dismissed when Mayor changed his plea. Judge Jeannine Pratt noted the sentence was mandatory but expressed she would have imposed a harsher penalty if given discretion. Vivian’s mother condemned Mayor in court, stating he should never be free again, while Mayor expressed remorse and a wish to trade places with the child.