Cleveland, OH
Ohio Is Now the ‘Focus’
In this edition of News Inside, we’re excited to share meaningful journalism that speaks to you.
Recognizing our work has broad statewide impact, our special section called Cleveland Focus, which we introduced in our last issue, is now Ohio Focus. It’s a move that better reflects our expanding reach and engagement efforts across the Buckeye State.
In this section, we share stories produced by our team at The Marshall Project – Cleveland. These are stories that directly impact people and families caught up in the criminal justice system in Ohio.
April marks Second Chance Month. It’s a time to raise awareness about the challenges faced by those of us who have been incarcerated. It’s also a time to celebrate victories in the ongoing struggle for formerly incarcerated people.
This month, Ohio Focus looks at two major issues: how the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court appoints public defenders or private attorneys to represent children accused of crimes, and the lack of support in place for people leaving the Cuyahoga County Jail.
After meeting with the local community and having been incarcerated myself, I know many people have been through this process, or those with children, grandchildren, and other family and friends who have experienced juvenile prosecution.
We hope that by detailing how our courts work, we can bring clarity to how children are represented in our county court system, using facts and data-driven reporting by our Marshall Project – Cleveland reporters.
During my years behind bars in Ohio, as I worked toward earning my parole, my thoughts were consumed by my reentry plan and concerns about the type of support I would receive upon returning to society.
One of my biggest fears was that the guidance I expected wouldn’t be there. That fear is real for folks leaving Cuyahoga County Jail. Our reporting at The Marshall Project – Cleveland has uncovered alarming accounts of the county’s failure to support individuals as they leave jail and the promises made to fix the problem.
We hope this becomes an ongoing conversation. We want to hear your concerns, opinions, or questions about prison. We also want to hear your stories, your past experiences, or your hopes for reconnecting with your family after regaining your freedom.
Readers in Ohio can email me at cleveland@themarshallproject.org.
We hope these stories inspire and empower you as you prepare to live the life you desire.
Want your loved one(s) to receive free future copies of News Inside? Fill out our registration form for individuals. For corrections staff or community members seeking bulk shipments of News Inside, please email your request to newsinside@themarshallproject.org.
Cleveland, OH
Medical examiner releases new details about bodies of 2 young girls found in suitcases near Cleveland school
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner released new information about the bodies of two young girls found in suitcases in Cleveland’s South Collinwood neighborhood.
On Wednesday morning, the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner confirmed through DNA that the two girls are half-siblings.
At this time, they have not been positively identified, and no further information is available while the investigation is ongoing.
In a news conference on Tuesday, Cleveland Police Chief Dorothy Todd confirmed the bodies of two young girls were found in suitcases on the city’s East Side on Monday evening.
Cleveland police were called just after 6 p.m. to a field in the area of East 163rd and Midland Avenue for a suspected dead body.
According to police sources, a man was walking his dog in the area, for the first time in a while, due to the snow, and the dog hit on the scent.
The man immediately called 911.
“The officers responded out and located a deceased individual that was in a shallow grave inside of a suitcase,” said Chief Todd.
When officers and homicide detectives got to the scene, Todd said they found the second body nearby.
According to the chief, both suitcases were partially buried in shallow graves. She said the victims had been there quite some time.
“It is traumatic for everyone. It is traumatic for those who live in the area to know that this was right there at their doorstep,” said Todd.
Authorities said one victim is believed to be 8-and-a-half to 13 years old and the other is believed to be 10-and-a-half to 14 years old.
“Locally, we have no reports of missing children to match these identifications. We are checking statewide as well. We have assistance from our state, federal and local partners,” said Todd.
Detectives are checking with state and federal partners as well.
This crime scene is located near Ginn Academy in the city’s South Collinwood neighborhood.
Police said the investigation remains in its very early stages and there is no indication of an ongoing threat to public safety.
If anyone has any information, they are asked to call the Cleveland Police Homicide Unit at 216-623-5464.
Tips can remain anonymous.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
Cleveland, OH
Bodies of 2 young girls found in suitcases in Cleveland’s South Collinwood neighborhood
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Cleveland Police Chief Dorothy Todd on Tuesday confirmed the bodies of two young girls were found in suitcases on the city’s East Side Monday evening.
Cleveland police were called just after 6 p.m. to a field in the area of East 163rd and Midland Avenue for a suspected dead body.
According to police sources, a man was walking his dog in the area, for the first time in awhile due to the snow, and the dog hit on the scent.
The man immediately called 911.
“The officers responded out and located a deceased individual that was in a shallow grave inside of a suitcase,” said Chief Todd.
When officers and homicide detectives got to the scene, Todd said they found the second body nearby.
According to the chief, both suitcases were partially buried in shallow graves. She said the victims had been there quite some time.
“It is traumatic for everyone. It is traumatic for those who live in the area to know that this was right there at their door step,” said Todd.
Authorities said one victim is believed to be 8-and-a-half to 13 years old and the other is believed to be 10-and-a-half to 14 years old.
There is no indication at this time on their identities, according to police.
“locally we have no reports of missing children to match these identifications. We are checking statewide as well. We have assistance from our state federal and local partners,” said Todd.
Detectives are checking with state and federal partners as well.
The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner has taken custody of the bodies and will conduct further examination to determine the cause of death.
This crime scene is located near Ginn Academy in the city’s South Collinwood neighborhood.
Police said the investigation remains in its very early stages and there is no indication of an ongoing threat to public safety.
If anyone has any information, they are asked to call the Cleveland Police Homicide Unit at 216-623-5464.
Tips can remain anonymous.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Thousands of FirstEnergy customers are without power in Cuyahoga County this Tuesday.
The total number reached 31,785 reported outages in Cuyahoga County at noon.
That number decreased to 16,486 as of 1:10 p.m.
There were just 2,751 still without power less than an hour later at 2 p.m.
FirstEnergy estimates power to be restored to most impacted customers between 2-4 p.m. Tuesday.
FirstEnergy spokesperson Brooke Conlan said this is due to small fires on poles.
According to Conlan, the misty rain combined with salt on the road can cause contamination on utility poles, which causes electricity to travel across the the pole and cause the fire.
Conlan added their crews are working as quickly as possible to restore power.
Due to the outages, the Parma Justice Center is closed, and all court proceedings are suspended for the remainder of Tuesday.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
Summit League tournament: Omaha women bounce North Dakota
Jardy: Three quick takes from Ohio State’s blowout win at Penn State
Oklahoma audit says OTA operated unchecked for decades; lawmakers seek reforms
New Data Shows Oregon E-Scooter Injuries on the Rise
3 dead in apparent murder-suicide spanning from Pennsylvania to Illinois, police say
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
DHS defends McLaughlin against allegations husband’s company profited millions from ad contracts: ‘Baseless’
Sánchez defies Trump in political gamble as Madrid say no to war
Satellite images show Iran school strike hit more buildings than earlier reported
US submarine sinks Iranian warship by torpedo in a first since World War II
Which oil and gas facilities in the Gulf have been attacked?
-
World1 week agoExclusive: DeepSeek withholds latest AI model from US chipmakers including Nvidia, sources say
-
Massachusetts1 week agoMother and daughter injured in Taunton house explosion
-
Wisconsin3 days agoSetting sail on iceboats across a frozen lake in Wisconsin
-
Maryland4 days agoAM showers Sunday in Maryland
-
Denver, CO1 week ago10 acres charred, 5 injured in Thornton grass fire, evacuation orders lifted
-
Florida4 days agoFlorida man rescued after being stuck in shoulder-deep mud for days
-
Oregon6 days ago2026 OSAA Oregon Wrestling State Championship Results And Brackets – FloWrestling
-
Massachusetts2 days agoMassachusetts man awaits word from family in Iran after attacks