Medical examiner says girls found dead and buried in suitcases near Cleveland school are half-sisters
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A 28-year-old woman has been arrested for murder and child endangering, 19 News has learned.
Cleveland Police have not released the name of the person of interest they detained in connection with the bodies of two young girls found in suitcases near Ginn Academy in Cleveland; however, records show Aliyah Henderson was booked into the Cuyahoga County Jail on Wednesday evening.
Aliyah Henderson(Julia Thyret | (Source: Cuyahoga County Sheriff))
Neighbors told 19 News Henderson lived at the East 162nd Street home where police took someone into custody.
Cleveland Police Sgt. Freddie Diaz said that during a search warrant at an address near the area of East 162nd and Midland Avenue on Wednesday, they were able to identify the person of interest.
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.
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.
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.
Tips can remain anonymous.
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