Neighbor Charged For Death Of Mayfield Heights Mom, Daughter

MAYFIELD HEIGHTS, OH — Dominique Swopes has been charged with the murders of Rebecca Pletnewski and her daughter, Olivia Schneider, Mayfield Heights Police announced on Monday. Swopes was a neighbor of Pletnewski.

Pletnewski's home on Longwood Road caught fire on November 20. She was found dead inside the house by firefighters, and her 8-year-old daughter, Olivia, was rushed to Hillcrest Hospital where she later died from smoke inhalation.

The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner later ruled that Pletnewski was dead before the fire was set. The cause of her death was "cervical compression with sharp force injuries." That effectively means the 41-year-old was stabbed in the spine.

Swopes was initially brought in for questioning on November 20, but was released the same day. Police said during the course of their investigation they collected what they believe is "incriminating evidence" against Swopes.

Swopes, 27, was arrested on November 23 and charges were filed against him, for murder and arson, on Monday.

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Photos from Mayfield Heights Police