Two defendants in a child molestation case pleaded guilty June 5 in Newton County Superior Courtand received sentences up to 20 years in confinement.
Guy Michael Cook, 55, who was originally from Texas and was extradited from Colorado, entered a guilty plea to charges of aggravated child molestation, enticing a child for indecent purposes and first degree cruelty to children. He was sentenced by Judge Eugene Benton to 40 years with 20 in confinement and required to have no contact with co-defendant Cynthia Cook or the victims. He was also required to undergo sex offender treatment and forbidden from having contact with any child under the age of 16.
Cynthia Darline Cook, 39, mother of the two victims, pleaded guilty to enticing a child for indecent purposes, child molestation and two counts of first degree cruelty to children.
She received a 30-year sentence, with 10 in confinement and was required to have no contact with juveniles under the age of 16 and required to undergo sex offender treatment as well.
The molestation reportedly occurred in Newton County from 1998 to 2002, while Guy and Cynthia Cook were married. Guy reportedly initiated the molestation and introduced Cynthia to cocaine, from which she soon developed a drug habit.
"Once she got into that, she wasn't properly supervising (the kids) and she committed some acts," said Assistant District Attorney Melanie McCrorey.
The abuse was uncovered later when one of the victims, who were 9 years old and 12 years old during the molestation, disclosed the abuse during a psychological evaluation, according to McCrorey.
The plea allowed the victims to avoid having to testify about their horrific experience during a trial, said McCrorey, and still punished both defendants.
"The kids said the mom has made a turn around since she left Guy Cook. She got off the drugs and was very remorseful to them about what she had done and allowed him to do," McCrorey said.
Both defendants will be on supervised probation and be required to register as sex offenders.
