Woman Arrested After 2 Girls Found Dead in Cleveland, Buried in Suitcases

Authorities believe the victims were half-sisters between 8 and 14 years old.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The bodies of two young girls were discovered on March 2 in suitcases partially buried in shallow graves near a high school in Cleveland. Police have arrested a 28-year-old woman in connection with the deaths, and charges are expected to be filed. Authorities have not yet positively identified the victims, but DNA testing confirmed they were half-sisters between the ages of 8 and 14.

Why it matters

The tragic discovery of the two young girls' bodies has shocked the Cleveland community and raised urgent questions about their deaths and the circumstances that led to their bodies being buried in suitcases. The investigation is ongoing, and police are appealing to the public for any information that could help solve this disturbing case.

The details

The bodies were found on Monday, March 2, in suitcases partially buried in shallow graves near the Ginn Academy high school. Investigators believe one of the girls was between about 8 1/2 and 13 years old, and the other was between about 10 1/2 and 14 years old. Both victims are Black. Police have arrested a 28-year-old woman in connection with the deaths, and charges are expected to be filed. A child, reportedly in good health, was also found at the woman's home and turned over to the custody of the Department of Children and Family Services.

  • The bodies were discovered on Monday, March 2.
  • Police arrested a 28-year-old woman on Wednesday, March 4.

The players

Cleveland Police Chief Dorothy Todd

The police chief leading the investigation into the discovery of the two girls' bodies.

Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office

The office that conducted DNA testing to confirm the victims were half-sisters.

28-year-old woman

The woman arrested in connection with the deaths of the two girls.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the 28-year-old woman out on bail.

The takeaway

This case has shaken the Cleveland community and raised urgent questions about the deaths of these two young girls. The investigation is ongoing, and police are appealing to the public for any information that could help solve this disturbing case.