Crime
Alexzandrea Thomas Speaks Out Following Conviction of Father in Incest and Abuse Case
Now that court proceedings have concluded, Alexzandrea Thomas has chosen to break her silence regarding the years of abuse she endured at the hands of her biological father, Kenneth Cook, who was recently arrested and charged in a high-profile case out of MacArthur, West Virginia.
Cook faces multiple felony charges including sexual abuse by a parent or custodian, third-degree sexual assault, child neglect, and three counts of incest, following a lengthy investigation into the abuse that resulted in the birth of three children.
In a personal statement shared after the trial, Thomas expressed both relief and frustration, addressing the ongoing inquiries and messages she has received since the case became public.
“I’m only speaking out now because I’m overwhelmed with messages, and I want people to understand the truth,” Thomas said. “I reported him repeatedly since I was 9 years old, but no one believed me. My grandmother worked closely with Child Protective Services, and she convinced everyone I was lying.”
She went on to describe a childhood marked by isolation, fear, and ongoing manipulation. “When my grandfather found out, he didn’t even look surprised. The last time I confided in a school guidance counselor, CPS got involved—but once again, my grandmother suppressed the investigation. My father told me if I ever spoke out again, he knew how to make me disappear.”
Thomas said she was denied access to a phone, vehicle, and outside relationships, and that her father intentionally kept her from contact with her mother’s side of the family. “When he realized I was growing close to a neighbor, he threatened to shoot him and made sure I left the room whenever that neighbor came over. He did everything in his power to silence me.”
One of the most distressing parts of her statement involved the birth of her youngest child, who was born with health complications. “My baby spent the first week of his life in the hospital but was denied further medical care afterward,” she said. “I was trying to care for a very sick baby on my own, with no support and no access to healthcare, because he feared the truth would come out.”
The criminal case against Cook was initiated after medical personnel at Charleston Area Medical Center raised concerns about severe malnourishment in the youngest child, who at one year old weighed only six pounds.
Genetic testing subsequently confirmed that the children were the result of a first-degree incestuous relationship between Cook and Thomas.
“I already know he’s a monster—I lived with him. I survived him,” she said. “You don’t know how many times I thought about ending my life, because it felt like it would never stop.”
Thomas ended her statement with a plea for privacy. “To those who are sorry, I appreciate your compassion. To those defending him, stay away from me. I will never forget or forgive what he did, but I’m trying—every day—to heal.”
Kenneth Cook remains in custody at the Southern Regional Jail on a $500,000 bond. The investigation is ongoing.
Crime
Walls Police Officer Da’Quarius Burton Injured in Deadly Mississippi Crash, Mother Confirms He Is Alive and Safe
DESOTO COUNTY, Mississippi — Walls Police Officer Da’Quarius Burton was injured in a deadly two-vehicle collision on U.S. Highway 61 in DeSoto County, Mississippi, but his mother has confirmed that he is alive, safe and recovering following the crash.
Burton, 27, of Memphis, Tennessee, was driving a Dodge Durango involved in the collision shortly after 8 p.m. Wednesday at the intersection of U.S. Highway 61 and Church Road in Walls.
The crash claimed the lives of three people traveling in a Honda Accord. The incident also left another passenger injured and involved employees of the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office Juvenile Detention Center.
Following the crash, misinformation circulated online suggesting that Burton had died and that he was a juvenile detention officer.
His mother, Tee Burton, publicly addressed the reports, firmly correcting the information and asking people to stop sharing unverified claims.
She confirmed that her son is alive, safe and okay. She also emphasized that he is not a juvenile detention officer.
In her statement, she expressed disappointment over reports falsely identifying her son as one of the people who died in the collision.
She also acknowledged the families who lost loved ones and urged the public to show compassion toward everyone affected by the tragedy.
Her statement included the following message:
“My son is alive!!! He is safe, and he is okay!!!”
She further asked people to verify information before publishing or reposting details that could cause unnecessary emotional distress to families.
According to the Mississippi Highway Patrol, a northbound Dodge Durango traveling on U.S. Highway 61 collided with a westbound Honda Accord traveling on Church Road.
Three occupants of the Honda were pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities identified the victims as:
- Latasha N. Dodson, 37, of Horn Lake, Mississippi, the Honda driver.
- Eddie L. Dodson Jr., 41, of Byhalia, Mississippi.
- Tamenshia R. Ford, 32, of Horn Lake, Mississippi.
Burton and another passenger in the Honda survived the collision but sustained injuries and were transported to a local hospital. Their specific medical conditions have not been publicly detailed in the information provided.
The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that two people involved in the crash were employees of its Juvenile Detention Center.
One of those employees was Tamenshia R. Ford, who died in the collision. The second employee was seriously injured.
Sheriff Thomas E. Tuggle II expressed condolences following the death of the employee, describing the person as a respected and beloved member of the department.
“Our fallen officer was a respected and beloved member of our team,” Tuggle said.
The sheriff’s office also recognized the employee’s dedication, compassion and commitment to working with young people entrusted to the facility’s care.
State officials confirmed that the Dodge Durango involved in the collision belonged to the Walls Police Department.
The city’s mayor and police chief also confirmed that a Walls police officer was involved in the crash. Burton’s mother has since clarified that her son is the officer and that he survived.
An SUV displaying Walls Police Department identification was seen being towed from the crash scene Wednesday night.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol is leading the investigation into the fatal collision.
Investigators are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash. Authorities have not released additional details about what led to the vehicles colliding.
The crash resulted in three deaths and left multiple people injured. Burton’s family has asked the public to respect the victims and their loved ones while avoiding the spread of false information.
The investigation remains ongoing.