A Cleveland mother faces severe legal consequences after being charged with the tragic deaths of her two daughters. The victims have been identified as Amor Wilson, aged 10, and Mila Chatman, aged 8.
In a shocking development, 28-year-old Aliyah Henderson was apprehended by Cleveland police and now stands accused of aggravated murder. This arrest came just days after the grim discovery of two young girls’ bodies inside suitcases.
The Cleveland Division of Police announced Henderson’s arrest on Thursday afternoon, revealing that she is the mother of both victims. She has been charged with two counts of aggravated murder, and her bond has been set at $2 million.
The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the identities of the victims, who are half-sisters, using DNA testing to establish their familial relationships.
- Amor Wilson, 10, of Cleveland
- Mila Chatman, 8, of Cleveland
Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb expressed his gratitude for the swift action of law enforcement, stating, “I want to thank our homicide detectives and members of the Division of Police for their incredible work in this case. Their dedication and persistence led to a quick arrest in connection with the tragic deaths of two young children whose bodies were discovered earlier this week.”
“I want to thank our homicide detectives and members of the Division of Police for their incredible work in this case. Their dedication and persistence led to a quick arrest in connection with the tragic deaths of two young children whose bodies were discovered earlier this week.”
“This has shocked our community. We love and protect our young people, and the loss of these two children is unimaginable. Our hearts are with everyone who is grieving this tragedy.”
In addition, a Cuyahoga County spokesperson gave the following statement to TEGNA affiliate WKYC Thursday afternoon:
“We are profoundly saddened by the deaths of these two young girls which is a tragedy for their families and our entire community. Due to the active criminal investigation into these deaths as well as the confidentiality obligation of Ohio law, we are unable to disclose any further information at this time.”
CASE DETAILS
The situation started around 6 p.m. Monday when officers responded to the scene after receiving a report of a suspected dead body.
After officers found the body of a young girl inside a suitcase, detectives found a second body of another young girl inside a separate suitcase.
“Both victims were transported to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office, where examinations are underway to determine the cause and manner of death,” according to the Cleveland Division of Police.
In new details released late Wednesday morning, the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office announced that DNA testing revealed the girls are half-siblings.
During a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Cleveland Division of Police Chief Dorothy Todd said there were no clear indicators of the cause of death of the two young girls. She also said it’s unknown how long they had been at the location.
“These were two young lives with their entire futures ahead of them,” said 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.”
INVESTIGATION
It was first announced Wednesday that police had detained a person of interest in the case.
“Using intelligence-led policing strategies, technology, and experienced investigative skills, detectives developed probable cause to execute a search warrant at a residence in the 700 block of East 162nd Street,” according to Cleveland police. “Within less than 48 hours, detectives detained a person of interest and recovered substantial evidence related to the case.”
Police said a child was found inside the home, and appeared to be in good health.” The Department of Children and Family Services has taken custody of the child.
BODY CAMERA FOOTAGE
On Thursday, body camera footage of the discovery was released.
In the video, the man who called the police told the officer, “It’s a suitcase. I’ve been walking passed it for about a week now. … I walk my dog over there and she keeps stopping. She’s been sniffing a little too long.”
They told the officer that he decided to open the suitcase.
“I pulled it up, unzipped it. I couldn’t really see, and I open it up and a ******* head,” said the man.
COMMUNITY REACTION
WKYC also talked with Deshaun Chatman, who said he’s the father of Mila Chatman, on Thursday. He had strong words for the woman investigators say is responsible for the crime.
“I hate you. … You’re selfish, you’re a monster,” said Chatman. “You had help, you had support. You didn’t want to take it.”
Chatman said he had been trying for years to gain custody. He told WKYC both he and Amor Wilson’s father offered to take the girls in, but claims they were unable to locate the mother.
“I love both of them. Both of them don’t deserve this,” said Chatman. “I remember them building tents in the living room and making pallets on the floor and having a girls night like just doing stuff, like being kids.”
Cleveland City Councilman Mike Polensek, who represents the ward where the bodies were discovered, said the arrest brings a small measure of comfort to the community.
“The community is relieved, but saddened,” Polensek said. “There’s two young children that are gone. Their whole future is gone. We have no idea what happened, what they went through toward the end of their lives.”
Polensek noted the girls were allegedly homeschooled and lived in what appeared to be a well-kept house. However, he said many questions still remain.
“Hopefully now we can get to the bottom of what happened, exactly what happened here, and these kids can rest in peace,” he added.
Aliyah Henderson will be arraigned in Cleveland Municipal Court Friday at 8:30 a.m., and community activists will host a candlelight vigil for Amor and Mila at 4 p.m. It is free and open to the public, and will be held in the field at East 162nd and Midland, where a memorial for the girls is growing.
