A Pennsylvania mother accused of abusing her adoptive daughter appeared in court Thursday.
Prosecutors said Rana Cooper, 46, hurt the girl for seven years.
They said the girl had to earn points to eat, drink and use the bathroom. Cooper also tried to sew the girl’s mouth shut with a needle and thread and made her eat kitty litter, police said.
“She scooped cat litter with a scooper and shoved it in my mouth while holding my throat,” the girl said.
In court Thursday, the 16-year-old girl testified about the abuse.
“Any time mom was yelling or choking me or punishing me, the dog would bite me and latch ahold of my arm and tear into my skin. I have scars and a big hole in my leg because of it,” she said.
“My dad said he was going to leave because she wouldn’t stop yelling and hurting me. My mom was mad and bit my nose, twisting my neck and dragged me across the room,” she added.
A WPXI-TV reporter asked Cooper if she made her eat cat litter.
“No,” Cooper said. “I am a good mother, very good mother.”
Five teachers and counselors from the Avella School District were prepared to testify in court. Prosecutors said the teachers reported abuse for years.
In a surprise move, police charged the girl’s father Thursday, saying he could have stepped in and didn’t.
Cooper’s bail is set at $100,000.
