In a disturbing trial unfolding in Ontario, two women, Brandy Cooney and Becky Hamber from Burlington, have pleaded not guilty to the first-degree murder of a 12-year-old boy they intended to adopt. The charges against them also include confinement, assault with zip ties, and failure to provide essentials to the boy’s younger brother.
The deceased boy, identified in court as L.L., passed away on December 21, 2022. His younger brother, named J.L., is shielded by a publication ban. The exact cause of L.L.’s death has not yet been determined during the ongoing trial under Justice Clayton Conlan in Superior Court in Milton.
The trial began with Crown attorney Kelli Frew stating that the boys, L.L. and J.L., needed a loving and nurturing home but were instead subjected to neglect and abuse by the accused. The Children’s Aid Society (CAS) moved the siblings from Ottawa to live with Cooney and Hamber in Burlington in 2017, despite the women not being fully approved by CAS.
Cooney and Hamber received financial aid through a provincial adoption program to care for the boys. Allegations include locking the boys in rooms, constant surveillance, forcing them to wear wetsuits, restricting food, and compelling them to exercise. Concerns raised by individuals in the boys’ lives were reportedly ignored.
The tragic incident on December 21, 2022, saw Hamber calling 911 after L.L. stopped breathing. Emergency responders found the emaciated boy in a basement room, leading to his untimely death shortly after being rushed to the hospital. Frew emphasized the severe mistreatment the boys endured, indicating a strong animosity towards them from the accused.
The trial also featured testimony from Heather Walsh, a former foster parent of the boys, highlighting the challenges and concerns she faced regarding the older brother’s behavior. Walsh advocated for psychological counseling for the boys, which was denied by CAS multiple times. She expressed regret over the boys’ removal from her care and believed they could have thrived under the right circumstances.
The defense lawyers did not provide opening submissions, while the cross-examination focused on the boys’ behavior and the lack of support from CAS. Walsh’s testimony shed light on the complexities and struggles faced by the boys, underscoring the need for proper care and attention in the child welfare system.