Local Radar

---

---

---

Trenton Foster mother arrested for child abuse on video
Woman allegedly had another child video tape abuse

web posted February 26, 2007
TRENTON – A Foster mother has been arrested and a search warrant has been executed at her Heritage Drive home in Trenton following an investigation of child abuse. Edgefield County Sheriff’s Investigators have arrested Belinda Cooper, 53, of Trenton, and charged her with one count of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature and one count of unlawful neglect, Corporal Robbie Harter of the Sheriff’s Office said Monday after the arrest.

Cooper is accused of abusing a 12-year-old child placed in her home by the Department of Social Services in Aiken County. Among the accusations are that Cooper on at least one occasion stripped the child naked and beat him on the buttocks and face with a paddle and a belt.

Sheriff’s Investigators said they have recovered a video camera that was used to film at least three incidents, but the contents of the videos was not released and is considered evidence in the case. The contents of the video were described as “shocking” and “disturbing”.

The service of the search warrant and the arrest took place Monday afternoon. Seized from Cooper’s home were a computer, at least one sword, knives, a baseball bat, a bamboo staff, and other undisclosed items relating to the case. Cooper is also said to be a black belt in martial arts.

At least three other children are said to be present during at least one of the alleged incidents but it was not disclosed if any were foster children placed in Ms. Cooper’s care or if they may have been family members. An earlier unconfirmed report indicates one of the teens present in the home may have alerted school officials at Strom Thurmond High School on Friday which resulted in the case being forwarded on to the Sheriff’s Office.

Investigators did not say how long the alleged abuse had been taking place but indicated it had been ongoing for some time. They also said there is no question that Ms. Cooper knew the video of the incidents were taking place.

Cooper is being held at the Edgefield County Detention Center on the listed charges and there may be further charges filed as a result of the ongoing investigation Cpl. Harter said. Investigators and the Solicitor’s Office will be reviewing the contents of the computer hard drive and other evidence collected over the next few days. What investigators are looking for on the computer was not released.

The Department of Social Services was unable to be reached for comment on the case by press time.
 
 
 

EdgefieldDaily.com is a member of the
Edgefield County
Chamber of Commerce
New Link Below
Information and Activities

---

Parting Shots
A new book by Columnist Carl Langley

---

---

-----

---

JAM Straight Customs

---

Featured Dining

La Cantina

---

---

'08 Debate
Get involved

---

NOTICE:
We still need recipes for Cooking Section
WEBNEWS –  Send in your favorite or favorites. There is no limit to the number of recipes you can send in. With the Editor’s wife being the driving force behind her own personal section, help her create an exchange of local favorites, home cooking, grilling, sauces, and deserts!  Send in your submissions here.