A woman has been sentenced to spend the rest of her life behind bars after her 19-month-old son’s lifeless body was discovered in the Chattahoochee River two years ago. Breyanla Cooper, the mother of the child, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including malice murder. The sentencing was met with profound sadness, as the judge acknowledged that no words or actions could ever alleviate the pain experienced by the family.
The heartbreaking discovery of Faheem’s body took place on July 1, 2021. Cobb County Firefighters were attending an event at the river when they noticed something floating in the water. The news of the tragic incident quickly spread, prompting Cooper to contact the police department’s non-emergency line in an attempt to identify her son’s body.
During the investigation, Cooper initially claimed that her son had been kidnapped by a man to whom she owed money. However, further scrutiny revealed inconsistencies in her story. Video footage from the motels where she claimed to have stayed did not provide any evidence to support her claims of a kidnapping.
Authorities then turned their attention to Cooper’s mother, who disclosed that she had last seen Faheem five days before his body was found. She also provided information about Cooper’s car, which allowed the police to track her location. The records indicated that she had been at the river for approximately two hours on June 26, 2021, the day when her son was killed and left in the river.
District Attorney Flynn Broady Jr. expressed his disbelief at the unimaginable act committed by a mother against her own child. The investigation further revealed disturbing details from Cooper’s phone, including searches related to foster care and the river in the month leading up to the incident.
Superior Court Judge Kellie S. Hill, presiding over the plea hearing, expressed her deep sorrow at the heinous crime committed by Cooper. The judge emphasized the unspeakable nature of a mother’s betrayal against her own flesh and blood.