Woman arrested on murder charges after 2 girls were found buried in suitcases, records show

CLEVELAND (WOIO/Gray News) - Police in Cleveland said they arrested a woman in connection with the case of two half-sisters found buried in suitcases.

Cleveland police have not released the name of the person, but records show 28-year-old Aliyah Henderson was booked into the Cuyahoga County Jail on Wednesday evening for murder and child endangering.

The arrest comes after two half-sisters were found buried in suitcases in shallow graves Monday in a field near Ginn Academy in the South Collinwood neighborhood. It’s believed they had been there for quite some time.

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. At this time, they have not been positively identified.

Neighbors say Henderson lives at a home across the street from where the girls were found buried. It was at that home where police took someone into custody Wednesday.

Cleveland Police Sgt. Freddy Diaz said investigators identified the person of interest while serving a search warrant.

“Part of the investigation led us to this home. It’s been a nonstop, ongoing investigation. Our homicide unit, they have been working around the clock,” Diaz said.

City councilman Michael Polensek said he wants accountability for the person who did this and justice for the victims.

“What kind of monster-demon would do this to two children? Just throw them away like they’re garbage? No, not here, not in Collinwood. That don’t happen. We’re not going to put up with that,” Polensek said. “There’s got to be justice for these two kids.”

Police said the investigation remains in its very early stages.