Alleged arsonist faces judge for allegedly killing Mayfield Heights woman, her 8-year-old daughter

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - The Mayfield Heights man accused in the 2018 deaths of his neighbor and her 8-year-old daughter faced a Cuyahoga County judge on Tuesday.

The pretrial hearing for Dominique Swopes was held at noon.

Court records show that Swopes was initially indicted on multiple charges, including aggravated murder, aggravated burglary, aggravated arson and aggravated robbery.

If convicted, Swopes could face the death penalty.

Mayfield Heights police said 41-year-old Rebecca Pletnewski was stabbed to death before her Longwood Road home was set on fire in November 2018.

Pletnewski’s daughter, Olivia Schneider, was trapped in a second-floor bedroom at the time of the fire.

According to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office, the 8-year-old died of smoke inhalation.

Swopes remains held on a $5 million bond.

The trial is expected to start January 19, 2023.