PRUDENCE PIONEER
Tuesday October 7, 1997
NEWS LOCAL
Prudence Man Arraigned in Brandywine Abduction Case
By Jacqueline Ellis
A defiant Cooper Reed stood before Judge Robin Walzman this morning at the Nashaway County Superior Court in Worcester. Reed and his attorney, Beth Howland, entered not guilty pleas on a host of felony charges stemming from an alleged kidnapping attempt that took place on September 24th at the Brandywine Elementary School in Prudence. This was the first time Reed has appeared in public since posting cash bail the day following his arrest. His alleged accomplice and wife, Susan Reed, also of Prudence, is scheduled to be arraigned later in the day. Susan Reed also posted cash bail but has elected to represent herself.
According to Howland, in a statement she provided after the hearing, the charges should be dismissed altogether. Her client, she intends to prove, is the victim of a school employee’s negligence and the Prudence School Department’s efforts to cover up her mistakes. Per Howland, “the unidentified minor, who is a student at the Brandywine Elementary School, was incorrectly dismissed by an administrative assistant into the Reeds’ custody. Since my client has been unlawfully denied visitation with his daughter over the course of several years, he was unaware of the mix-up until he had returned to the Littleton residence where he was temporarily staying. By the time he identified the employee’s unforgivable error, Littleton police were already moving in and violating his civil liberties in consort with the Prudence Police Department.”
Dr. Roberta Geldof, an assistant superintendent for Prudence Public Schools, vehemently denied any wrongdoing on the part of the school. She said that the employee in question was coerced by both Reeds into dismissing the student and has been placed on paid leave until further notice. Dr. Geldof declined to identify the employee for fear of harassment. She also insisted that the school board and public safety board are reviewing current standards and practices for student dismissal in an effort to prevent future irregularities.
“It’s insane to give this man any audience whatsoever. They knew exactly what they were doing. Given his history of misdemeanor convictions we know he’s no stranger to crime. He claims he was authorized to pick-up his daughter? I cannot and will not confirm if his biological daughter ever attended Brandywine Elementary, but I will confirm that she is currently ineligible to attend the school due to her age.” Dr. Geldof continued, “Thank God and thank the brave men and women in both the Prudence and Littleton Police Departments for their timely collaboration and intervention. They again kept our children safe, like they do every day, in order for us to be able to help them learn. I know we’re required to call it an alleged kidnapping right now, but anyone with any sense knows it’s just that, a kidnapping.”
Judge Walzman seemed to concur. He ruled that all of the charges would stand. As he did so, a recalcitrant Cooper Reed grinned and shook his head, while Howland placed a hand on his shoulder. A date for trial is yet to be determined.
More Fake News 