A 29-year-old Georgia mother is set to spend the rest of her life in prison after pleading guilty to all charges in the murder of her 19-month-old son. 

The Cobb County District Attorney’s Office announced the sentencing on Wednesday, July 19.

Breyanla Lachuan Cooper faced charges of malice murder, aggravated assault, and concealing the death of another since her indictment in August 2021. Her son, Faheem Cooper, was found dead in the Chattahoochee River on July 1, 2021. The child’s body was discovered during a water safety video filming by firefighters at the Paces Mill Unit boat ramp off Cobb Parkway. The indictment suggests the child was asphyxiated.

Cooper tried to obstruct the investigation following her arrest by claiming that her son was kidnapped by a man she owed money to. However, her story lacked corroborative evidence. A further examination of GPS data from Cooper’s car showed that she had spent over two hours at the river on the day her son was last seen alive. This led the police to believe that the dreadful act took place there. Phone data also showed Cooper searching for foster care and information on the river. Cooper reportedly told her older son that about Faheem, “His time with us is done”.

Senior Assistant District Attorney Stephanie Green, during the plea hearing, expressed her shock at the horrible nature of the crime. The profound grief endured by the family was acknowledged by Superior Court Judge Kellie S. Hill.

Originally scheduled for late March, Cooper’s trial concluded just over two years after the incident.