WARNING: The content of this article involves accusations of child abuse.
During a murder trial in Milton, the psychiatrist of a 12-year-old boy under the care of two women from Burlington, Ont., revealed that she had advised the couple to take the boy to the emergency room on multiple occasions prior to his passing in 2022. However, they declined to follow the recommendation.
Dr. Shelinderjit Dhaliwal, the boy’s psychiatrist, testified that she had raised concerns about the boy’s deteriorating health and lack of food intake. She stated that had the family sought medical help at the emergency department, the tragic outcome could have been prevented, and the boy would still be alive.
Brandy Cooney and Becky Hamber, the accused individuals, are facing charges of first-degree murder in connection with the death of the boy, known as L.L. in court due to a publication ban shielding the identity of his younger brother, J.L.
The two defendants are also accused of confinement, assault using zip ties as a weapon, and neglecting to provide essential care to J.L., charges to which they have pleaded not guilty. The trial, presided over by a judge, commenced the previous month and is anticipated to continue through December.
L.L. and J.L., who are approximately two years apart in age, were under the care of the Children’s Aid Society (CAS) of Ottawa, their birth city, and were later relocated to Burlington in 2017 to live with Cooney and Hamber, who were in the process of adopting them.
Throughout the trial, various medical professionals and therapists who interacted with the boys or discussed their care with Hamber and Cooney have provided testimony. The defendants claimed that the boys exhibited severe behavioral issues, and towards the end of L.L.’s life, they alleged he had an eating disorder.
Dhaliwal served as L.L.’s psychiatrist from January 2022 until his unfortunate passing in December of the same year. Paramedics found him in a critical state in his basement bedroom, where he was wet, emaciated, and unresponsive. Despite efforts to save him, he passed away shortly after being transported to the hospital.
An autopsy could not definitively determine the cause of death, although malnutrition and hypothermia were not ruled out as potential factors contributing to the tragedy.
According to court records, L.L. was severely malnourished, weighing less than he did at six years old and experiencing stunted growth.
Insights from the Psychiatrist
Dhaliwal disclosed that she only met L.L. in person once at the beginning of 2022, with subsequent interactions occurring virtually. During one virtual session in June of that year, Hamber mentioned that she had to secure food to prevent L.L. from overeating. L.L. conveyed his struggles with expressing his emotions, admitting to converting his fears into anger.
Despite Dhaliwal’s persistent recommendations for L.L. to receive thorough medical evaluation and urgent intervention, Hamber consistently declined, citing concerns about traumatizing the boy or delays in treatment. She rejected suggestions to take L.L. to the hospital or consult with his family physician, Dr. Greame (Stephen) Duncan.
Efforts to Secure Specialized Care
Dhaliwal initiated the process to admit L.L. to an eating disorder clinic, conducting necessary tests and sending the results to Duncan. However, Duncan acknowledged that he could have been more proactive in L.L.’s care and regretted not intervening earlier. He only saw L.L. eight days before the boy’s demise.
When questioned about her decision not to involve CAS, Dhaliwal explained that typically, CAS reaches out to her first in cases of suspected child abuse. In this instance, the CAS did not contact her directly. Regardless, she stressed that she consistently advised Hamber and Cooney to seek immediate medical assistance for L.L., emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
MacGregor, Hamber’s lawyer, probed Dhaliwal on potential alternative actions she could have taken, such as contacting CAS independently. Dhaliwal defended her actions, emphasizing her repeated efforts to persuade Hamber and Cooney to seek medical help promptly.
Despite inquiries about the timing of referrals to an eating disorder clinic, Dhaliwal maintained that immediate hospitalization, not a clinic referral, was crucial to saving L.L.’s life.
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