Who is Breyanla Cooper? Georgia mother gets life for murdering 19-month-old son and dumping body in river
COBB COUNTY, GEORGIA: A 29-year-old Georgia mother was sentenced to life in prison after murdering her 19-month-old son and dumping his body in the Chattahoochee River, nearly two years ago. Breyanla Cooper received the sentence on Thursday, July 20 when she pleaded guilty to charges of malice murder, aggravated assault, and concealing a death.
Her son, Faheem Cooper’s body was found on the morning of June 29, 2021, by firefighters near the Paces Mill Unit boat ramp off Cobb Parkway. The Cobb County fire crew was starting their training and filming a water safety video in the Chattahoochee River when they discovered the remains of the toddler, confirmed Cobb County Police spokesperson Sergeant Wayne Delk. After news outlets reported on the devastating discovery, Cooper allegedly phoned the Cobb County Police Department to see if she could identify the body.
'It is unspeakable that a mother would do this'
She then told investigators that a man had abducted her son from a county motel because she owed him money, according to Law & Crime. When pressed by suspicious detectives, Cooper said she was too terrified to report the kidnapping. The officials then obtained surveillance footage from the motel but found no evidence of a kidnapping – or even any evidence indicating that she had been at either location with her son at all. Detectives quickly moved on and spoke to Cooper's mother who said she last saw Faheem five days before firefighters found his body. She also gave police a description of her car where they were able to track her location.
Investigators discovered through the GPS data of the car that Cooper spent little over two hours at the Chattahoochee River on the last day that her son was seen alive. Police said it was during that time when she killed her son and left him dead in the river. Cooper was detained on suspicion of murder, the same day official found Faheem's body. Investigators eventually got access to her phone and discovered searches she had made for foster care and the river in June of that year. The defendant’s older child told police their mother said their “time with” Faheem Cooper “was done.” “It is unfathomable that a human being could do this to a baby. It is unspeakable that a mother would do this to her own flesh and blood,” Senior Assistant District Attorney Stephanie Green said during the plea hearing.
'I cannot imagine how painful'
Cooper was initially charged on a count of concealing the death of another, but the charges were enhanced after officials unearthed concrete evidence. “It is unimaginable for anyone to take the life of a child, least of all his own mother,” Cobb District Attorney Flynn D Broady, Jr said while announcing the sentence. “We are committed to obtaining justice for all victims. We will hold all who are responsible accountable,” he continued. Superior Court Judge Kellie S Hill also reflected on the case, saying, “I cannot imagine how painful this has got to be for the family. There’s just nothing the court can say or do to make this any better for anybody.”
