An Ohio mother is being detained on a substantial $2 million bond following the grim discovery of her two young daughters' bodies inside suitcases at a public park. Aliyah Henderson, aged 28, stands accused of the aggravated murder of her half-sisters, Mila Chatman, eight years old, and Amor Wilson, ten years old.
Discovery by Dog Walker
The tragic scene unfolded in the Collinwood neighborhood of Cleveland, where a dog walker made the horrifying find on Monday evening. The bodies, which were badly decomposed, were located at Saranac Playground, near the intersection of East 162nd Street and Midland Avenue.
Phillip Donaldson, the dog walker, recounted to News5 how his pet was drawn to a pile of dirt that had been present for at least a week. "It was like a pile of dirt, and she stopped to sniff," Donaldson said. "She was taking too long, so I went back and looked and it was a suitcase that was half buried." Upon pulling up the suitcase, he discovered a human head inside.
Court Appearance and Charges
During her appearance in Cleveland Municipal Court, Henderson remained largely silent, uttering only "thank you," according to NBC News. Municipal Court Judge Jeffrey Johnson emphasized his concern for public safety and the severe nature of the alleged crimes when setting the high bond. Henderson has been formally charged with two counts of aggravated murder.
Prosecutors noted that Henderson had no prior criminal record, adding a layer of shock to the case. She was taken into custody on Wednesday after detectives conducted interviews and examined evidence, though authorities have not yet disclosed the cause or exact timing of the girls' deaths.
Grieving Father's Anguish
DeShaun Chatman, Mila's father, expressed profound grief after learning of his daughter's death from investigators on Wednesday. "I couldn't save my baby," Chatman told the Associated Press, describing himself as feeling "useless." He had been pursuing custody of Mila for five years, but faced obstacles as he did not know where she lived and claimed Henderson had been "ducking" him.
Chatman last saw Mila in 2020 when she was three years old, recalling her as a "happy-go-lucky" child who "swore that she was a princess." He and Henderson were never married but lived together briefly after Mila's birth. Chatman also mentioned that Amor's father had similarly struggled to regain custody, with Henderson frequently moving to avoid contact.
Investigation and Aftermath
The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed the girls' identities late Thursday, with DNA testing establishing they were half-sisters. Cleveland Police Chief Dorothy Todd described the situation as "a terrible, tragic situation" and confirmed the bodies had been at the location for some time, though they were not dismembered.
Another child was found living in Henderson's home at the time of her arrest and has been placed in the custody of the Department of Children and Family Services. Further details about this child's identity have not been released.
Henderson's legal representation remains unclear, and county records do not indicate when she will return to court. The Daily Mail has reached out to relevant authorities for additional comments, but no further information has been provided as the investigation continues.
