Cleveland Woman Arrested in Deaths of Two Girls Found in Suitcases

The 28-year-old suspect is being held on charges of murder and child endangerment.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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A 28-year-old Cleveland woman has been arrested in connection with the deaths of two Black girls whose bodies were found stuffed inside suitcases and buried in shallow graves near her home. The suspect is currently being held in the Cuyahoga County Jail on charges of murder and child endangerment, and another child was found at the woman's home and taken into custody by the Department of Children and Family Services.

Why it matters

This tragic case has shocked the Cleveland community and raised concerns about the safety of young people. The discovery of the two girls' bodies buried near the suspect's home has led to an investigation into the circumstances surrounding their deaths and the potential involvement of the arrested woman.

The details

Police found the remains of the two girls, believed to be between 8 and 14 years old and half-siblings, after a dog walker discovered one of the bodies in a shallow grave near an all-boys public school. A second suitcase containing another body was found nearby during the subsequent search. The suspect, whose name has not been released, was arrested on Wednesday and is being held on charges of murder and child endangerment.

  • The bodies were discovered on Monday evening.
  • The suspect was arrested on Wednesday.

The players

Cleveland Police Chief Dorothy Todd

She stated that the deaths of the two young girls were tragic and that detectives worked tirelessly to identify those responsible.

Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb

He expressed shock and sadness over the grim discovery, stating that the loss of the two children is unimaginable and that the community loves and protects its young people.

The 28-year-old suspect

The woman is currently being held in the Cuyahoga County Jail on charges of murder and child endangerment in connection with the deaths of the two girls.

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What they’re saying

“These were two young lives with their entire futures ahead of them. Our detectives worked tirelessly and with great care to identify those responsible.”

— Cleveland Police Chief Dorothy Todd (Press release)

“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.”

— Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb (Statement)

What’s next

The judge will determine whether to grant bail for the suspect at a hearing scheduled for next Tuesday.

The takeaway

This heartbreaking case has shaken the Cleveland community and raised urgent questions about child safety and the need for thorough investigations into the deaths of young people. It underscores the importance of vigilance and swift action to protect the most vulnerable members of society.