A Cleveland woman has been charged with the murders of her two young daughters after their bodies were discovered buried inside suitcases on the city’s east side, a case that has shocked the community and sparked a growing investigation.
Authorities say 28-year-old Aliyah Henderson is facing two counts of aggravated murder in connection with the deaths of 10-year-old Amor Wilson and 8-year-old Mila Chatman, whose remains were found earlier this week.
Discovery of the Bodies
The grim discovery was made when a man walking his dog noticed suspicious items buried in a field near Ginn Academy in Cleveland’s South Collinwood neighborhood. Investigators later uncovered two suitcases containing the bodies of the girls, who were confirmed through DNA testing to be half-sisters.
Police said the bodies appeared to have been buried in shallow graves and may have been there for some time before they were found. The exact cause of death has not yet been publicly released, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Mother Arrested and Charged
Following the discovery, Cleveland police launched an investigation that led them to Henderson. She was arrested and later formally charged with two counts of aggravated murder.
During her court appearance, a judge set Henderson’s bond at $2 million, with $1 million for each charge.
Authorities say Henderson has no known prior criminal history or record of violence, but investigators are continuing to examine evidence and the timeline surrounding the girls’ deaths.
Father Searched for Daughter for 5 Years
Mila’s father, DeShaun Chatman, said Thursday that he had been looking for his daughter and pursuing custody for five years before investigators told him late Wednesday she was dead.
Chatman said he repeatedly sought emergency custody and had tried to locate Mila through a child welfare agency, but those efforts were unsuccessful because he did not know where they were living.
“It’s very much horrible,” Chatman said, adding that it turned out Mila had been living within view of where their bodies were found. He said he felt “useless — I couldn’t save my baby.”
Family and Community Reaction
The tragedy has deeply affected the Cleveland community. Residents have begun placing flowers, balloons, and stuffed animals at a growing memorial near the site where the girls were found.
Family members and neighbors say the loss of the two young girls has left them devastated, with many struggling to understand how such a tragedy could occur.
Authorities also confirmed that another child was found unharmed in a home connected to the investigation and has since been placed in protective care.
Investigation Ongoing
Police say detectives are still working to determine exactly how and when the girls died, as well as what events led up to the crime. Officials have described the case as both “tragic and disturbing.”
Henderson remains in custody as prosecutors prepare for the next stage of court proceedings.
