Dad of Girl Found Dead in Suitcase Says He Talked to CPS: 'It Could Have Been Prevented'

The father of one of the girls found dead in Cleveland on 2 March has revealed a prior custody battle involving Child Protective Services.

Following confirmation that the two bodies found buried in a field in Cleveland belonged to half-siblings Amor Wilson, 10, and Mila Chatman, 8, the latter's father is speaking out about a child custody battle lasting six years.

WEAU 13 News identified Mila's father as DeShaun Chatman, who revealed he hasn't seen her daughter for four years. Chatman also told Fox 8 that he felt 'iced out' in his attempts to gain custody of his child.

Victim's Father Says He Contacted CPS

'I've been trying to get her for six years. You've been ducking me,' he said, referring to Mila's mother. 'You told me I was too family-oriented. That's why you ain't giving my daughter. Been tried, tried, tried. Then I talked to CPS on numerous occasions.'

Amor Wilson's father is also making efforts to be more involved in Amor's life, Chatman confirmed. He also claimed that CPS allowed the children to remain under their mother's custody because they had a home and a bed.

'When it was something so simple. Just give me her. You're feeling stressed, give me her,' he added. 'I don't know how long she's been gone, how long she's been dead. I don't know how long she's been missing, but it could have been prevented.'

Suspect Charged with Victims' Deaths

On 2 March, Amor and Mila's bodies were discovered by a local who was walking their dog near a field in Cleveland. Responders found the bodies stuffed in separate suitcases and half-buried in shallow graves. ABC News later reported that the victims were half-siblings.

On 5 March, the Cleveland Division of Police said they arrested a suspect. Aliyah Henderson, 28, has been charged with two counts of aggravated murder in connection with Amor and Mila's deaths.

The update does not confirm if the suspect and victims were related. Henderson was apprehended at her residence, 48 hours after Amor and Mila's bodies were discovered. Police found Henderson with another child, who was entrusted to the Department of Children and Family Services.

'These were two young lives with their entire futures ahead of them,' Cleveland Division of Police Chief Dorothy Todd said, hinting they have information they can't divulge yet. 'Unlike what is often portrayed on television, every detail cannot be shared publicly,' she explained.

Police Chief Hints More Information Under Wraps

'Certain information must remain confidential to protect the integrity of the investigation and ensure justice for these victims,' Todd added. 'That careful and methodical work allowed our detectives to develop the evidence needed to make quick identification of a person of interest, ultimately resulting in an arrest.'

Chatman is working with authorities to prove that he's Mila's father. 'I'm still in contact with the detectives,' he said. 'We're doing the DNA samples. So I'll get more details within the next couple of days.'

The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office have yet to determine the victims' cause of death.