Woman, 28, arrested for murder after 2 young girls found in suitcases on Cleveland’s east side

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Cleveland police have charged a 28-year-old woman with aggravated murder and child endangering for the deaths of two young girls found buried in suitcases on the city’s east side.

Aliyah Henderson was arrested Wednesday evening at a home on E. 162nd after officers executed a search warrant. She was then booked into the Cuyahoga County Jail.

Cleveland police said a third child was found inside the home and appeared to be in good health. That child is now in the custody of the Department of Children and Family Services.

The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner identified the two girls as 10-year-old Amor Wilson and 8-year-old Mila Chatman. The girls are also half-sisters.

The bodies of the two half-sisters were found in partially buried suitcases around 6 p.m. Monday near E. 162nd Street and Midland Avenue.

This is in the city’s South Collinwood neighborhood.

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.

When officers and homicide detectives got to the field, they found the second body nearby.

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 will be in the Cleveland Municipal Court on Friday at 8:30 a.m.

If anyone has any information, they are asked to call the Cleveland Police Homicide Unit at 216-623-5464.

Tips can remain anonymous.

A memorial where the two girls were found has continued to grow with teddy bears, flowers, balloons and more throughout the day.

Cleveland Missing’s resources can be found here.

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