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Pa. mom charged with feeding daughter soiled cat litter, trying to sew mouth shut

A Pennsylvania woman accused of feeding her adopted daughter soiled cat litter and trying to sew the girl's mouth shut with a needle and thread told reporters yesterday that she is "a good mother."

According to a report on Pittsburgh's WPXI.com, prosecutors contend that Rana Cooper abused the girl for seven years. The girl, 16, testified yesterday in court in Washington County.

"She scooped cat litter with a scooper and shoved it into my throat," the girl said. "She asked me, 'Did it taste good?' I said, 'No.' She asked me if I needed water, and I said I didn't."

According to WPXI.com, Cooper is also accused of making her daughter earn points to eat, drink or use the bathroom; making the girl stand in a corner on drywall screws; and jamming Q-tips down the girl's ears until they bled.

The WPXI report said several teachers from the Avella School District had reported the abuse for years. The girl's father has also been criminally charged for not stopping the alleged mistreatment.

Cooper has denied the allegations on several occasions. When asked yesterday if she was a good mother, Cooper told a WPIX reporter, "Yes, I am a good mother. A very good mother."