Pleading for your help

FINDLAY, Ohio - It was August 1979 when little Monica Williams was murdered. Three months shy of her first birthday, she was raped and beaten by Christopher Cooper.

In December, Cooper will be up for parole. Her family family says if he is released back into society, everyone will be in danger. Becky Potter, Monica's mother, is on a letter writing crusade to make sure he's never released.

"She laid in the hospital for five days because her little heart was strong she was a fighter," Becky said.

Little Monica lost her fight on Aug. 16, 1979.

"I need to keep him is prison for this," Becky said. "There is no excuse, no excuse, and as long as I'm able to walk and my jaw is able to flap you'll hear from me."

That has been Monica's family's purpose in life and a way to cope.

"She never had a chance to be a cheerleader, graduate from high school, or go on to college," Monica's mother said. "It's very tough. All you have to do is look at the picture and see she was going to be a good girl."

The family says the best way to ensure Cooper stays locked up is for the parole board to receive letters from the public requesting he remain in prison and away from children. The family also fears his release because the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation recently moved Cooper to its Marion facility, which is 50 miles southeast from Findlay.

"He's murdered once an infant," said Michael Saum, Monica's uncle. "If you can find an infant worthy of lusting over and the things he's done to her, there is no excuse in it you can't rehabilitate someone like that."

If you would like to help the family and keep Monica's killer in prison, send a letter to the Ohio Board of Parole, Office of Victim Services, 770 W. Broad St., Columbus, Ohio 43222. You are asked to include the convicted killer's name (Christopher Cooper) as well as his inmate number of A158707.

Each letter counts as one request regardless of the number of signatures on it. All letters need to be signed, dated, and include a return address on the envelope by Dec. 1.