In a trial involving the tragic death of a 12-year-old boy in Burlington, Ontario, two women, Brandy Cooney and Becky Hamber, face charges related to the care of the boy and his younger brother. Testimonies from a social worker, therapist, psychiatrist, and service coordinator highlighted the challenges the women faced in caring for the boys, whom they believed had experienced trauma and sought additional support.
The older boy, identified as L.L., passed away in December 2022 while Cooney and Hamber were in the process of adopting him and his sibling. The women have pleaded not guilty to charges including first-degree murder, confinement, assault with a weapon, and failure to provide necessities to the younger brother, J.L.
During the trial at the Ontario Superior Court, the Crown alleged that Cooney and Hamber mistreated the boys, locking them up, restricting their food intake, and using zip ties to restrain them. The court heard how L.L. was found unresponsive, severely malnourished, and wearing a wetsuit on the night of his death. The autopsy did not determine the cause of death.
Social worker Stefanie Peachey testified that she never witnessed the negative behaviors the couple reported about the boys during her sessions with them. Despite disagreements towards the end of their working relationship, Peachey acknowledged that Cooney and Hamber sought support for the boys. The defense argued that the accused were struggling to manage L.L.’s challenging behaviors, including binge eating and violent outbursts, attributing them to prior trauma.
Dr. Alan Brown, a child psychiatrist, testified that L.L. likely had several mental health disorders, including disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, PTSD, reactive attachment disorder, and ADHD. Brown noted that the women were stressed and overwhelmed by the boys’ behaviors at home. The defense raised the possibility that L.L. could have concealed his behaviors, but Brown stated that based on observations, there was no evidence to support this claim.
The trial continues, with the defense maintaining that Cooney and Hamber were attempting to seek help for the brothers despite the challenging circumstances. The case has drawn attention to the complexities of caring for children with mental health issues and the importance of providing appropriate support and intervention.