An Ontario couple convicted of murdering a 12-year-old child and subjecting his younger brother to confinement and abuse while under their care will face sentencing on July 3 in Milton. Brandy Cooney, 44, and Becky Hamber, 46, will receive their sentences at 10 a.m. ET as scheduled by Superior Court Justice Clayton Conlan, with the hearing overseen by Justice Kendra Coats. The defendants, currently held at the Vanier Centre for Women, attended the hearing via Zoom but chose not to address the court. Initially pleading not guilty when the trial commenced in September, the couple was found guilty of assault, confinement, and neglect in relation to another child they were seeking to adopt.
Throughout the legal proceedings, the Indigenous brothers involved were identified by the initials L.L. and J.L. to maintain their anonymity under a standard publication ban. According to Justice Conlan’s findings, Cooney and Hamber harbored animosity towards the boys, expressing disappointment that they did not meet their expectations. The court learned that L.L. was confined in a room resembling a dungeon until his tragic demise in December 2022, indicating a deliberate intent to cause harm.
The sentencing for first-degree murder carries an automatic life imprisonment term with no chance of parole for 25 years. The brothers had resided with Hamber and Cooney, who intended to adopt them, for a period of approximately five years starting in 2017. Following L.L.’s passing, J.L. was removed from the couple’s custody by the Children’s Aid Society. Subsequently, the women were arrested by Halton police on assault charges on January 17, 2023, and later charged with L.L.’s murder on February 29, 2024.
The trial, which featured testimonies from 48 witnesses and 209 pieces of evidence, heavily relied on text messages exchanged between the defendants, medical professionals’ reports on L.L.’s condition, post-mortem findings, expert opinions, and statements from Cooney, Hamber, and Cooney’s father. The case has sparked discussions on the child welfare system, prompting calls for reform following the tragic outcomes experienced by the young victims.
In response to the court’s decision, the brothers’ former foster mother, Heather Walsh, emphasized the significance of justice for the victims. Conlan’s rulings were met with gratitude by the biological mother of L.L. and J.L., who acknowledged the efforts of the court, legal teams, and authorities in delivering justice. While the verdict cannot undo the past, it marks a step towards closure for their family.
For individuals affected by this distressing case, mental health resources are available across various provinces and territories. In cases of immediate danger or threats to safety, contacting emergency services at 911 is crucial.