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Authorities discovered the remains of two young girls inside suitcases, partially buried in shallow graves on Cleveland’s East Side, early Monday evening.
A man walking his dog in the vicinity of East 153rd and Midland Avenues noticed his pet reacting strongly to a scent in a nearby field. He alerted the police, and officers swiftly uncovered the first body, according to Cleveland Police Chief Dorothy Todd, as reported by WOIO.
“Upon arrival, the officers located a deceased individual in a shallow grave, encased in a suitcase,” stated Chief Todd.
Additional officers and detectives joined the investigation and soon found a second body close by.
Chief Todd emphasized the emotional impact of the discovery, stating, “It is traumatic for everyone involved, especially for residents who now realize this occurred so close to their homes.”
Police believe one of the girls is 8 1/2 to 13 years old and the other is 10 1/2 to 14 years old. Todd said that no local missing children match the children found.
“We are checking statewide as well, ” she said.” We have assistance from our state federal and local partners.”
The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner is working to determine the cause and manner of death for the girls.
Todd said investigators aren’t sure how long the bodies had been in the field but said it appears they’d been there for some time. The are where they were found doesn’t get a lot of foot traffic.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Cleveland Police Homicide Unit at 216-623-5464.