COURT RECORDS RAISE QUESTIONS: DeShaun Chatman’s Five-Year Custody Battle for Mila Chatman Under Scrutiny After Tragic Discovery

As the investigation into the horrifying discovery of two young girls buried in suitcases in Cleveland’s South Collinwood neighborhood intensifies, attention has turned to the years-long efforts by DeShaun Chatman to regain custody of his daughter, Mila Chatman. The 8-year-old, identified alongside her 10-year-old half-sister Amor Wilson as the victims found on March 2, 2026, near Ginn Academy, became the center of a heartbreaking story when her father revealed he spent five years filing court requests, contacting Child Protective Services (CPS), and seeking emergency custody—only to face repeated denials. Now, with 28-year-old Aliyah Henderson—the girls’ mother—charged with two counts of aggravated murder, detectives are reviewing those old family court filings, including at least one denied emergency custody request, to piece together the timeline and assess any missed opportunities for intervention.

DeShaun Chatman, in emotional interviews with outlets like Cleveland 19 News (WOIO) and FOX 8, described his persistent battle beginning shortly after his relationship with Henderson ended. He last saw Mila around 2020, when she was preparing for kindergarten and he helped buy her school clothes—a moment captured in a cherished photo of her smiling brightly in new outfits. “That was the last time I saw her smile like that,” Chatman said. After that, Henderson allegedly relocated frequently, cutting off contact and making it difficult for him to locate them. “She kept moving… they denied all access,” he alleged, explaining that without a current address, authorities often cited insufficient grounds to act.

Chatman’s efforts included:

Multiple filings in family court for custody modifications and emergency orders.
Repeated contacts with Cuyahoga County Children and Family Services (CPS) to report concerns and request welfare checks.
Police requests for home visits to ensure Mila’s safety.

He claims these were consistently denied, with responses often noting the children appeared provided for in a stable home. “I’ve been calling child protective services, going to the courts, trying to get emergency custody… But they denied all access,” Chatman told reporters, expressing deep frustration and grief. In one account, he mentioned attempting emergency custody “several times,” highlighting “too many red flags” that went unaddressed due to lack of verifiable location information.

The grim turning point came when a dog’s persistent digging uncovered a partially buried suitcase near East 162nd Street and Midland Avenue, leading to a second suitcase 25 feet away. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office used DNA testing to confirm the identities on March 5: Mila Chatman, 8, described by her father as a “happy-go-lucky” child who loved pink and saw herself as a princess, and Amor Wilson, 10. Causes of death remain pending autopsy and toxicology results, but the deaths are classified as homicides.

Henderson was arrested March 4 and arraigned the following day in Cleveland Municipal Court, where a judge set bond at $2 million. She faces two counts of aggravated murder and child endangering, with no prior criminal record publicly noted. During the home search—located just across from the discovery site—authorities found a third child, now in the custody of the Department of Children and Family Services.

Investigators are now examining Chatman’s court records and related documents as part of the broader probe. This includes the denied emergency custody motion(s), CPS reports, and welfare-check logs to determine if any indicators of risk were overlooked. Chatman’s allegations have sparked public outrage over potential systemic issues in Ohio’s child welfare and family court systems, particularly in custody disputes involving unmarried parents. Fathers often face hurdles in establishing rights without marriage, and critics argue high caseloads and strict evidentiary requirements can delay or prevent action.

Chatman, cooperating with detectives by providing DNA for paternity confirmation, visited a growing memorial at the site—adorned with pink balloons, stuffed animals, flowers, and notes. “I feel hate… I couldn’t save my baby,” he said, questioning how Henderson could live nearby while allegedly committing such acts. He has called for legal reforms: “Change these laws. A man does have a say in their child’s life, married or unmarried.”

The community held vigils, releasing balloons and sharing memories of the girls’ joyful spirits. Social media buzzes with #JusticeForMilaAndAmor, amplifying demands for accountability and CPS improvements. One X post summarized the pain: “Five years of fighting, and it ends like this.”

As forensics from the suitcases (including soil and fibers) help build the timeline, and Henderson’s case advances, the review of court records could reveal critical insights—or highlight failures that allowed tragedy to unfold. Chatman’s five-year search, though ending in unimaginable loss, underscores the urgent need for better safeguards in child custody and welfare matters. Mila and Amor’s story continues to haunt Cleveland, fueling calls for change to protect the most vulnerable.