A Cleveland mother charged with murdering her two young children had her bond set at $2 million during a Friday court hearing, following the discovery of the girls’ remains in suitcases buried in shallow graves.
Twenty-eight-year-old Aliyah Henderson is facing two aggravated murder charges related to the deaths of Mila Chatman and Amor Wilson. The children’s bodies were found after someone walking their dog noticed one of the suitcases earlier this week and contacted authorities.
During her court appearance, Henderson remained mostly silent. Court officials noted that prosecutors found no prior criminal history for the defendant, while her appointed attorney mentioned she had housing arrangements and was actively seeking employment.
DeShaun Chatman, who is Mila’s father, remembered his daughter as a joyful child who embodied what it meant to be young. “She was happy-go-lucky — a ‘kid’s kid’ who was always smiling,” he said. Chatman revealed he had not seen Mila in five years despite his unsuccessful attempts to obtain emergency custody.
Following the hearing, Cullen Sweeney, who serves as the chief public defender for Cuyahoga County, refused to discuss the case details. Henderson’s future legal representation remains uncertain at this time.
According to the county Medical Examiner’s Office, Mila was 8 years old and Amor was 10. Officials used DNA testing to confirm the relationship between the half-sisters and establish their identities. Investigators also discovered a third child during their search of a residence connected to the case. That child, who appears to be in good health, is now under the care of child welfare services.
