In the period leading up to the tragic passing of a 12-year-old boy under the care of his potential adoptive guardians, the Ontario court has been informed that the Children’s Aid Society (CAS) received multiple reports expressing concerns about potential abuse and neglect. Despite these reports, the boy and his younger sibling were under the guardianship of Brandy Cooney and Becky Hamber for more than five years, from October 2017 to December 2022, when the older boy was discovered in a severe state of malnourishment, drenched and unresponsive in their residence in Burlington. Regrettably, he passed away shortly after being taken to the hospital.
Currently, Cooney and Hamber are facing trial on charges of first-degree murder of the boy, identified in court as L.L., as well as allegations of confinement, assault with a weapon, and failure to provide essential care to his brother, J.L. The identities of the boys are safeguarded under a publication ban, and both accused individuals have pleaded not guilty. The trial, presided over by a judge in Milton, commenced last month and is predicted to extend into December.
Although no CAS representatives have testified regarding the actions taken to assist the boys, it is crucial to note that the society is not under trial. Nevertheless, this case has sparked inquiries into the extent of CAS involvement in the boys’ lives leading up to the tragic incident. The two Indigenous boys were under the care of the CAS of Ottawa.
L.L. and J.L., who were born approximately two years apart in Ottawa, initially resided with their birth parents and grandparents in the city before being placed with Heather Walsh and her family, their longstanding foster caregivers, testified Walsh. Following the initiation of the adoption process by Cooney and Hamber, the boys’ grandmother contested the move in court but was unsuccessful, according to Walsh.
Subsequently, the boys were relocated to Burlington in 2017, with the Halton CAS assuming daily oversight responsibilities, although Cooney and Hamber never completed the adoption process. Erin Nolan, a therapist at a children’s mental health center in Oakville, highlighted concerns raised by the CAS about the guardians’ responses to the children’s “allegations” and their lack of cooperation with service providers.
Nolan, who was part of a team aiming to provide therapy to L.L. and J.L., revealed that the women declined their services due to the mandatory reporting of concerning allegations to children’s aid, stating that L.L. was dishonest and that involving CAS would disrupt their family life. The women also exhibited a tendency to pathologize the boys, perceiving them as psychologically troubled when they might not have been, as mentioned by Nolan.
The Crown has asserted that Cooney and Hamber struggled to care for the boys, engaging in hatred, neglect, and abuse towards them, all while relying on financial subsidies from government adoption programs. The defense, however, has emphasized the boys’ challenging behavior and argued that L.L. posed exceptional difficulties. The women’s legal representatives have contended that they were managing the situation to the best of their abilities without adequate assistance or support from children’s aid.
Attachment therapist Beth Sibley, who interacted with the boys during the transition period, expressed immediate concerns about the women’s parenting skills. She reported to children’s aid after learning that L.L., then six years old, had been subjected to prolonged isolation as a disciplinary measure. The Halton police also alerted the CAS about an incident at the residence of Cooney and Hamber, further emphasizing the complex dynamics surrounding the boys’ care.
Sara Biasetti, J.L.’s Grade 2 teacher, detailed her distressing interactions with the child, underscoring his troubling statements and behaviors that prompted her to contact children’s aid multiple times. The teacher’s vigilance continued as she observed unsettling incidents at J.L.’s home and school, further raising concerns about the boys’ well-being.
The testimonies from various professionals shed light on the challenging circumstances surrounding the boys’ care, highlighting the critical need for thorough investigations and improved support systems to safeguard vulnerable children in similar situations.