(Marietta, GA – July 19, 2023) Cobb County District Attorney Flynn D. Broady, Jr. announces that Breyanla Lachuan Cooper, 29, pled guilty to one count of malice murder, one count of aggravated assault and one count of concealing the death of another. Judge Kellie S. Hill sentenced Cooper to life in prison.

"It is unimaginable for anyone to take the life of a child least of all his own mother," said Cobb District Attorney Flynn D. Broady, Jr. "We are committed to obtaining justice for all victims. We will hold all who are responsible accountable."
 
On the morning of July 1, 2021, Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services was at the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area for a community event when a firefighter noticed something floating in the water. Upon further investigation, the firefighter recovered the body of a deceased toddler, later identified as 19-month-old Faheem Cooper. After the media released news stories of the toddler’s recovery, Breyanla Cooper called the CCPD non-emergency line to see if she could identify the body.
 
Detectives spoke with Cooper, who reported that a man took her son because she owed him money. Cooper claimed that she did not tell anyone or make any reports because she was scared. Instead, she reported leaving the motel where her son was taken and relocating to a new motel. Detectives obtained surveillance footage from both motels and found no evidence of Faheem or the alleged kidnapping.
 
Detectives then spoke to Cooper’s mother, who had last seen her grandson on June 26, 2021. She provided details on the car Cooper was driving. Detectives obtained GPS data for the vehicle and it showed that Cooper was at the Chattahoochee River on June 26, 2021 from 5:57 pm to 8:08 pm. It was during this time that she killed her child, leaving him in the river.
 
Cooper was arrested for the murder of her son six days later on July 1, 2021. Detectives seized a cell phone from Cooper which revealed searches for foster care and the Chattahoochee River in June. Detectives also interviewed Cooper’s older child who disclosed that Cooper told her that their time with Faheem was done.
 
During the plea hearing, Senior Assistant District Attorney Stephanie Green stated, “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.” Superior Court Judge Kellie S. Hill commented, “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.”
 
Assistant District Attorneys Stephanie Green and Sarah Hilleren prosecuted the case on behalf of the State of Georgia. Jennifer Adams represented Cooper at the plea.

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