GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. (TCN) — A mother has been sentenced to 40 years behind bars after being found guilty of two counts of aggravated battery, eight counts of first-degree cruelty to children, and two counts of tampering with evidence in connection with the abuse of her 9-year-old daughter.
The investigation into Kristy Cooley began when an online teacher noticed warning signs of abuse when doing a routine check-in with a student, WAGA reports.
According to prosecutors, Cooley had installed cameras throughout the home to monitor the child’s behavior. The child was routinely locked in a bedroom and forced to use a bucket instead of having access to a bathroom, and was tied up, beaten with a metal pole, and burned as punishment when caught sneaking food. Investigators also found photos on Cooley’s phone showing the victim with a black eye.
According to WAGA, the victim was the middle child and the only child in the home subjected to the abuse. Cooley had previously been in contact with child services when the victim was a toddler, but according to officials, there was almost no follow-up in the case. Prosecutors said, “Pure evil is the only motive we can think of.”
WAGA reports the victim’s stepfather had also been charged in connection with the case but died of heart failure before going to trial.
A jury found Cooley guilty Nov. 1 of two counts of aggravated battery, eight counts of first-degree cruelty to children, and two counts of tampering with evidence, WKRC reports. They recommended a sentence of 242 years, but the judge sentenced her to 80 years, with 40 to be served behind bars.
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