The bodies of two young girls were found in suitcases partially buried in shallow graves on the East Side of Cleveland early Monday evening.
Police said a man was walking his dog in the area when his dog hit on a scent in a field near East 153rd and Midland Avenues. He called 911, and officers quickly found the first of the two bodies, Cleveland Police Chief Dorothy Todd told WOIO.
“The officers responded out and located a deceased individual that was in a shallow grave inside of a suitcase,” said Todd.
More officers and detectives responded to the scene and found the second body nearby.
“It is traumatic for everyone. It is traumatic for those who live in the area to know that this was right there at their door step,” said Todd.
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.
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[Featured image: WOIO screenshot]
