Former DFCS Counselor Sentenced In Absentia to Life in Prison

A Fulton County jury has convicted a former Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) counselor who disappeared from court earlier this week for the rape of a 14-year-old girl under his care in 2011, the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office announced Thursday.

During his duties as a DFCS counselor, 39-year-old Earl Hopper was assigned to the siblings of a 14-year-old girl, but later volunteered to give her counseling as well. On Nov. 10, 2011, Hopper picked up the girl under the guise of transporting her to a DFCS counseling session. Instead, he took the girl to his home, gave her alcohol, and sexually assaulted her before taking her home after she had “sobered up.”

The victim told her mother what happened immediately upon returning home, and she confronted Hopper, who denied wrongdoing. The victim was taken to the hospital for treatment. DNA evidence recovered by investigators linked Hopper to the assault.

Jury selection was completed and opening statements were made in Hopper’s trial on Tuesday, but the defendant never returned from lunch that day and is currently on the run. Hopper was free on bail at the time, the District Attorney’s Office said.

Hopper was convicted of rape, child molestation, and enticing a child for indecent purposes. He was immediately sentenced in absentia to serve life in prison plus 51 years. A bench warrant has been issued for Hopper’s arrest.