WARNING: This story details allegations of child abuse.
The trial for two women from Burlington, Ont., accused in the death of a 12-year-old boy they were caring for has included testimony from several individuals involved in providing mental health support to the child and his younger sibling.
A social worker, therapist, psychiatrist, and service coordinator described Brandy Cooney and Becky Hamber as expressing difficulty in looking after the boys, who they believed had gone through trauma, and mentioned that the women were seeking extra help.
One worker also stated she noted “yellow flags” due to worries about how the children were being cared for.
The older boy, referred to in court as L.L., passed away in December 2022. The identities of L.L. and his younger brother, J.L., are protected under a publication ban.
In summer 2020 ,she said Hamber & Cooney informed her they felt these sessions weren’t effective anymore . She later passed her files along with what she termed “yellow flags” including notes about witnessing J.L. restrained in zip-tied pyjamas .Peachey mentioned that J.L .told her it was so he wouldn’t make messes when upset ,adding this topic had been discussed previously with both women . She expressed feeling “uncomfortable” about it ,thinking it wasn’t “a good parenting strategy,” but didn’t believe it warranted reporting it children’s aid . “I thought it was something that just needed monitoring,” she stated .![]()
J.l&L.l.left toright.shownundatedphotofiledasacourtexhibit.TheirBurlington.Ont.teachersdescribedthemasclevercuriousandeagerstudents.(OntarioSuperiorCourtinMilton)
The defense further argued both boys experienced significant trauma prior entering care from Cooney&Hamber.
The attorneys repeatedly asked witnesses if they felt these two women sought support diligently advocating for those kids.
Peachey responded calling them “mostly good advocates” even though she disagreed towards end of partnership .
Basedonhisobservations,BrownassertedL.l.probablyhaddisruptivemooddysregulationdisorder(post-traumaticstressdisorder)PTSD,reactiveattachmentdisorder,andattentiondeficithyperactivitydisorder(ADHD).
BrownsaidalthoughHamberrequestedtohaveL.l.admittedforalongerstayAugust2019,hedeclined.Hewas”quitecalm”,”composed”,”happy”,”logical”,and”coherent”,notatriskforself-harm.AddedthatL.hadaccesssupportsatHomeincludingthroughchildren’said.
Cooney’sattorney,KIMEDWARDaskedbrownifhethoughtl.shouldhavebeenadmittedtoaprogramforchildrenwithmentalhealthanddevelopmentalneedsLondon.Ont.Brownagreed notingherecommendeditatthattime.Thtrialhasheardprogramrefusedacceptl.asapatientdetermininghenottherightfit.
BrownspecifiedHambergCooneymaybeobviouslyfoundnotenoughdonehelpmanagingl.heunderstoodthembeing“stressedandoftenoverwhelmedbybehaviorsdescribedhome.”
Browndidn’tobserveoutburstAsHamber&Cooneydescribedinhospital.Duringcross-examinationacknowledgedchildrencanpresentdifferentlyathomecomparedtocare.
<P MonteMacGregor,Hamber'slawyeraskedifcoulddeliberatelyconcealbehaviorsfromhospitalworkersstatingthereevidencewasaskilledmanipulator.
Crown claims women ‘hated, neglected and mistreated’ the boys
When L.L. died, Cooney and Hamber were working towards adopting the two Indigenous brothers. Both have pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder. Cooney and Hamber have also entered not guilty pleas to charges of confinement, assault with a weapon – specifically zip ties – and failing to provide basic necessities for J.L. The Ontario Superior Court judge-only trial commenced last month and is presided over by Justice Clayton Conlan in Milton. It is set to proceed into December. The Crown has claimed that Cooney and Hamber “hated, neglected and mistreated” L.L. and J.L., confining the boys to their rooms, limiting food access, and using zip ties to keep them dressed. Court proceedings revealed that on the evening of December 21, 2022, the couple called 911 after L.L. stopped breathing. Emergency responders discovered him wet while wearing a wetsuit. One expert witness indicated that L.L. was critically malnourished at his time of death. His autopsy did not determine a cause of death. Becky Hamber and Brandy Cooney, left to right, as seen on their wedding day, have pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and other charges. (Becky Hamber/Facebook)Social worker states she didn’t observe behaviors reported by couple
In questioning care providers, Crown attorneys Kelli Frew and Monica MacKenzie inquired about their observations regarding L.L. and J.L., along with interactions with the defendants. On Thursday, Halton-area social worker Stefanie Peachey testified about her experience working with both boys as well as their caregivers for around a year. She shared that her sessions focused on building self-esteem, identity formation, and “who they wanted to be,” expressing concern that “the narrative surrounding who [the boys] were … revolved around negative experiences” related to whether they were good or bad. Frew asked if Peachey saw any behaviors during sessions that matched what the couple described happening at home like tantrums. “I never experienced any of those behaviours in session or in the waiting room,” said the social worker while adding she had established a good relationship with both L.L. and J.L., finding them polite overall. Initially meeting with them face-to-face often one-on-one before COVID-19 forced a switch to virtual meetings; Peachey mentioned she suggested using headphones for privacy but it was clear adults were listening since Hamber “emailed during a session to let me know one of the boys was lying to me.” Peachey explained that Hamber and Cooney requested she avoid asking direct questions to the boys suggesting withholding sessions could serve as punishment if they weren’t truthful.In summer 2020 ,she said Hamber & Cooney informed her they felt these sessions weren’t effective anymore . She later passed her files along with what she termed “yellow flags” including notes about witnessing J.L. restrained in zip-tied pyjamas .Peachey mentioned that J.L .told her it was so he wouldn’t make messes when upset ,adding this topic had been discussed previously with both women . She expressed feeling “uncomfortable” about it ,thinking it wasn’t “a good parenting strategy,” but didn’t believe it warranted reporting it children’s aid . “I thought it was something that just needed monitoring,” she stated .
Defense argues accused aimed at helping brothers
The lawyers defending Hamber & Cooney suggested their clients genuinely tried hard but struggled managing L.L ., whose actions included binge eating , manipulation & violent outbursts – such as harming animals , stabbing another child w/ pencil & breaking one time breaking hamber’s arm .“They certainly looked for assistance concerning those children.”
Psychiatrist states Likely multiple disorders present In l.l.
On Friday ,Dr.AlanBrown,a childandadolescentpsychiatristwithOakvilleTrafalgarMemorialHospital,testifiedaboutcarel.l.receivedinthehospital’schildandadolescentin-patientunit.
Basedonhisobservations,BrownassertedL.l.probablyhaddisruptivemooddysregulationdisorder(post-traumaticstressdisorder)PTSD,reactiveattachmentdisorder,andattentiondeficithyperactivitydisorder(ADHD).
BrownsaidalthoughHamberrequestedtohaveL.l.admittedforalongerstayAugust2019,hedeclined.Hewas”quitecalm”,”composed”,”happy”,”logical”,and”coherent”,notatriskforself-harm.AddedthatL.hadaccesssupportsatHomeincludingthroughchildren’said.
Cooney’sattorney,KIMEDWARDaskedbrownifhethoughtl.shouldhavebeenadmittedtoaprogramforchildrenwithmentalhealthanddevelopmentalneedsLondon.Ont.Brownagreed notingherecommendeditatthattime.Thtrialhasheardprogramrefusedacceptl.asapatientdetermininghenottherightfit.
BrownspecifiedHambergCooneymaybeobviouslyfoundnotenoughdonehelpmanagingl.heunderstoodthembeing“stressedandoftenoverwhelmedbybehaviorsdescribedhome.”
Browndidn’tobserveoutburstAsHamber&Cooneydescribedinhospital.Duringcross-examinationacknowledgedchildrencanpresentdifferentlyathomecomparedtocare.
<P MonteMacGregor,Hamber'slawyeraskedifcoulddeliberatelyconcealbehaviorsfromhospitalworkersstatingthereevidencewasaskilledmanipulator.
“Ithinkwewouldseeflashesandelementsofextremebehavior,”saidBrown.”Itwaspossiblean8yearcouldfoolteamweeksbutbasedobservations,notsaw evidencewouldsupportthat.”
Ifyou’reaffectedbythisreport,youcanlookformentalhealthsupportthroughresourcesyourprovinceorterritory.
