LARGO — Detectives with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Crimes Against Children Unit arrested a group home and daycare employee on a child abuse charge following an investigation into injuries sustained by a child at a Largo group home.
According to investigators, on December 21, 2025, deputies responded to a reported child abuse incident after a father observed multiple injuries on his non-verbal autistic child during pickup from the group home. Detectives later reviewed surveillance video from the facility.
Investigators state the footage shows 38-year-old Shannon Cooper of Clearwater physically battering the child. The video reportedly depicts Cooper pulling the child by the collar, striking the child multiple times without provocation, straddling the child and applying her body weight, throwing the child into furniture, and taking the child into rooms without camera coverage.
The child sustained bruising to the neck, right arm, and left arm, along with scratches to the face and hands.
On January 21, 2026, Cooper was arrested and charged with child abuse. She was transported and booked into the Pinellas County Jail.
Investigators also confirmed Cooper is employed by Retmus Academy of Learning, located at 2800 26th Avenue South in St. Petersburg.
The investigation remains ongoing.
In accordance with Florida Statute 119.071(2)(h)1, no additional details will be released that could identify the 12-year-old victim.