A Georgia mother whose son was found dead in a river last month is now facing four felony charges, including murder.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, the incident happened in Cobb County at Paces Mill Park, along the Chattahoochee River, according to firefighter Detrich Reid. A child, who was a male between one to three years of age, police said, was found lying lifeless in the river on July 1.
“Cobb County Fire, they came out here to do a public service announcement just to teach about water safety and as they got out here, they noticed there was a toddler or a child of some sort that was floating down the river,” Cobb County Officer Shenise Barner told Fox 5 Atlanta.
Police initially arrested 24-year-old Breyanla Cooper and charged her with concealing the death of another. Last week, a grand jury indicted Cooper on felony murder, malice murder, aggravated assault and concealing a death, AJC reports.
According to an arrest warrant, Cooper is accused of putting her son’s body into the river after he had already died. The boy’s name has not been publicly released.
“The accused concealed the death of the victim by placing the victim in the Chattahoochee River in the National Recreation Area,” said Cobb County Magistrate Judge Don Hicks.
Authorities quickly found and detained Cooper, of Stone Mountain, although no children in the area had been reported missing. It’s still unclear exactly how the toddler died.
Cooper remains behind bars at the Cobb County jail.
The investigation continues. Anyone with information is urged to call Cobb County police at 770-499-3900. Check back for updates.
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[Feature Photo: Breyanla Cooper/Cobb County Sheriff’s Office]
