Cleveland Woman Charged with Killing Daughters, Bail Set at $2M

Aliyah Henderson accused of murdering her two young daughters and burying their bodies in suitcases.

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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A 28-year-old Cleveland woman named Aliyah Henderson has been charged with two counts of aggravated murder after the bodies of her two young daughters, Mila Chatman and Amor Wilson, were found buried in suitcases in shallow graves. Henderson appeared in court on Friday, where a judge set her bail at $2 million.

Why it matters

This tragic case has shocked the Cleveland community and raised questions about the welfare system's ability to protect vulnerable children. The deaths of Mila and Amor highlight the need for better support and resources for families in crisis to prevent such horrific outcomes.

The details

According to prosecutors, the bodies of 8-year-old Mila Chatman and 10-year-old Amor Wilson were discovered after a dog walker alerted police to one of the suitcases. Henderson, who has no prior criminal record, was arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated murder. Mila's father, DeShaun Chatman, said he had unsuccessfully sought emergency custody of his daughter in the past.

  • On Monday, a dog walker alerted police to one of the suitcases containing a body.
  • On Friday, a Cleveland judge set Aliyah Henderson's bail at $2 million.

The players

Aliyah Henderson

A 28-year-old Cleveland woman charged with two counts of aggravated murder for the deaths of her two young daughters.

Mila Chatman

An 8-year-old girl who was one of Aliyah Henderson's daughters and was found dead in a suitcase.

Amor Wilson

A 10-year-old girl who was Aliyah Henderson's other daughter and was found dead in a suitcase.

DeShaun Chatman

The father of Mila Chatman, who said he had unsuccessfully sought emergency custody of his daughter in the past.

Cullen Sweeney

The chief public defender in Cuyahoga County who declined to comment on the case after the hearing.

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What they’re saying

“Mila was happy-go-lucky — a "kid's kid" who was always smiling.”

— DeShaun Chatman, Mila's father (CBS News)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Aliyah Henderson to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the critical need for better support and resources for families in crisis to prevent such horrific outcomes. It also raises questions about the welfare system's ability to protect vulnerable children and the importance of strengthening systems to identify and intervene in high-risk situations.