Woman Detained After 2 Girls Found Dead in Suitcases in Cleveland

Police expect to charge 28-year-old woman in investigation into remains of two half-siblings.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Cleveland police have detained a 28-year-old woman and expect to charge her in the investigation into the remains of two girls, estimated to be between 8 and 14 years old, that were found buried in suitcases in a field near Ginn Academy earlier this week. The children's bodies had been there for some time, and there were no active missing person reports that matched the victims.

Why it matters

This disturbing discovery has shocked the Cleveland community and raised urgent questions about the circumstances surrounding the girls' deaths and how their bodies ended up buried in suitcases. The police investigation will aim to uncover the identities of the victims, determine the cause of death, and hold any responsible parties accountable.

The details

On Monday, a dog walker tipped off police about the discovery of one of the bodies stuffed in a suitcase in a shallow grave. A search of the area led to the discovery of a second body in another suitcase in a separate shallow grave. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office has determined the two victims were half-siblings, but their names have not yet been released. Police detained a 28-year-old woman on Wednesday evening and expect to charge her, though her identity has also not been disclosed.

  • On Monday, a dog walker alerted police to the discovery of one of the bodies.
  • On Wednesday evening, police detained a 28-year-old woman in connection with the investigation.

The players

Cleveland Police Department

The law enforcement agency investigating the discovery of the two girls' bodies found in suitcases.

Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office

The office that determined the two victims were half-siblings, though their identities have not been released.

28-year-old woman

A person of interest who was detained by police on Wednesday evening and is expected to be charged in the investigation.

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What they’re saying

“We are hoping to find answers. This is a terrible, tragic situation.”

— Dorothy Todd, Cleveland Police Chief (CBS News)

What’s next

The judge will decide on Tuesday whether to allow the 28-year-old woman to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This disturbing case highlights the urgent need for thorough investigations into missing persons reports and the proper handling of human remains to ensure justice is served and prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.