CLEVELAND — A 28-year-old Cleveland woman accused of killing her two young daughters and burying their bodies in suitcases on the city’s east side was ordered this week to undergo a competency evaluation before her criminal case proceeds.
Evaluation ordered, location and timing set
During a court conference call Tuesday, attorneys for Aliyah Henderson, court officials and prosecutors agreed on a 20‑day inpatient competency evaluation to be conducted at Northcoast Behavioral Healthcare, a forensic behavioral facility. Henderson will begin the evaluation as soon as an inpatient bed becomes available.
Charges and immediate case status
Henderson has pleaded not guilty to multiple felony counts related to the deaths of Amor Wilson, 10, and Mila Chatman, 8, who were reported to be half-sisters. According to court records filed by prosecutors, the charges include murder counts and a range of related felonies.
| Charge | Count |
|---|---|
| Aggravated murder | 6 |
| Murder | 4 |
| Kidnapping | 6 |
| Felonious assault | 4 |
| Child endangering | 3 |
| Tampering with evidence | 1 |
| Gross abuse of a corpse | 2 |
Discovery and investigation details
Police were alerted to the location on March 2 when a man walking his dog near E. 162nd Street and Midland Avenue detected a scent and called 911. Officers found one body at the scene and discovered the second nearby. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner is continuing to investigate the deaths and has not released a cause or manner of death.
When Henderson was arrested at her home on East 162nd Street on March 4, officers located a 6‑year‑old boy, who police said at the time "appeared to be in good health." The child has been placed in the custody of the Department of Children and Family Services.
"[The child] appeared to be in good health,"
Community and court implications
The competency evaluation will determine whether Henderson is mentally fit to participate in her defense and understand the charges against her. A finding of incompetency would pause criminal proceedings until she is restored to competency, while a finding of competency would allow the case to move forward toward trial.
The case has drawn attention from neighbors and local leaders because of the nature of the allegations and the ages of the victims. Authorities have not released additional details about the investigation or any potential motive. The medical examiner’s ongoing work will be central to prosecutors’ case, as the official determinations on cause and time of death could influence charges and trial strategy.
- Henderson faces multiple felony counts, including aggravated murder and kidnapping.
- The bodies of the two girls were found near E. 162nd Street and Midland Avenue on March 2.
- A 6‑year‑old boy located at the residence is now in custody of the county child welfare agency.
Public records show prior court activity in the case, including an arraignment held in Cleveland Municipal Court. A $2 million bond had been set earlier in the proceedings, according to previous reporting. Prosecutors will rely on forensic findings from the medical examiner and the results of the competency evaluation as they prepare next steps in the prosecution.
As Cleveland authorities continue the investigation, city residents and neighbors near the east‑side location await more information from law enforcement about both the status of the probe and any community safety updates. The prosecutor’s office and the medical examiner did not immediately provide further comment Tuesday.
This report will be updated as new verified information becomes available from court filings, the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office or law enforcement.
