Cleveland, OH
Cleveland mother indicted for allegedly killing daughters, burying them in suitcases
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A Cuyahoga County grand jury returned an indictment charging the 28-year-old Cleveland mother accused of killing her two young daughters and burying them in suitcases in a field.
Aliyah Henderson is charged with aggravated murder in the deaths of her daughters — Amor Wilson, 10, and Mila Chatman, 8, who were half-sisters.
On Friday, Henderson was indicted on the following charges:
- Six counts of aggravated murder
- Four counts of murder
- Six counts of kidnapping
- Four counts of felonious assault
- Three counts of child endangering
- One count of tampering with evidence
- Two counts of gross abuse of a corpse
Henderson has no prior record and no history of violence.
Read the full indictment below:
She will be arraigned at the Cuyahoga County Justice Center at a later date.
At a previous court date, the public defender’s office asked the judge to represent Henderson in the criminal case, citing an existing relationship established through a separate custody matter involving Henderson’s third child. The state objected.
Private attorney Kevin Spellacy will now represent Henderson in the criminal case. The public defender’s office will continue to represent her in the custody case involving the surviving child.
Related Content
The bodies of Amor and Mila were found the evening of March 2 in partially buried suitcases near E. 162nd Street and Midland Avenue in Cleveland’s South Collinwood neighborhood.
A good Samaritan walking his dog discovered the suitcases after snow had kept him from the area for some time. His dog detected the scent, and he immediately called 911. Officers found a second body nearby when they arrived.
Cleveland Police Chief Dorothy Todd said the victims had been there for some time.
“These were two young lives with their entire futures ahead of them,” said Cleveland Police Chief Dorothy Todd. “Our detectives worked tirelessly and with great care to identify those responsible. Investigations of this nature require patience, precision, and discretion. Unlike what is often portrayed on television, every detail cannot be shared publicly. Certain information must remain confidential to protect the integrity of the investigation and ensure justice for these victims. That careful and methodical work allowed our detectives to develop the evidence needed to make quick identification of a person of interest, ultimately resulting in an arrest.”
Henderson was arrested on March 4 at a home on E. 162nd Street after officers executed a search warrant.
A 6-year-old child found inside the home appeared to be in good health and is now in the custody of the Department of Children and Family Services.
At this time, she is being held in jail.
A memorial near where the girls were found has continued to grow with teddy bears, flowers and balloons.
Funeral services for Mila Chatman and Amor Wilson will be held on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at Mount Sinai Friendship United, located at 7510 Woodland Avenue in Cleveland.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.