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Home » Burlington » Text Messages Reveal Allegations of Food Withholding in Ontario Case
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Burlington

Text Messages Reveal Allegations of Food Withholding in Ontario Case

January 3, 20265 Mins Read
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Text Messages Reveal Allegations of Food Withholding in Ontario Case
Brandy Cooney, left, with J.L., Becky Hamber and L.L. in a photo dated Oct. 24, 2022. CBC has blurred the faces of the boys to protect their identities. (Ontario Superior Court in Milton)
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WARNING: This story details allegations of child abuse.

Brandy Cooney claims that she and her wife never punished the two boys they were caring for by withholding food, but text messages between the women suggest otherwise, as argued by the Crown on Wednesday during their murder trial in Milton, Ont.

For a third day, Cooney responded to questions about how she and Becky Hamber treated the brothers they intended to adopt leading up to the older boy’s death on December 21, 2022. 

The 12-year-old was discovered emaciated and unresponsive in his basement bedroom that night and later died in hospital. He weighed what he did when he was six years old and had stopped growing, according to court testimony.

Cooney and Hamber from Burlington face charges including first-degree murder, confinement, assault with a weapon – zip ties – and failing to provide necessities for life to the younger brother. 

The couple had been trying to adopt the boys. They have pleaded not guilty to all charges.

CBC Hamilton refers to the 12-year-old as L. L. and his younger brother as J. L., now 13 years old, as their identities are protected under a publication ban due to their Indigenous background. 

A key question throughout this trial, which started in mid-September at Superior Court, is why L. L. became so severely malnourished during his last year alive. A pathologist previously testified that malnourishment could have caused or contributed to his death.

L. L. is shown in Cooney’s and Hamber’s kitchen on Aug. 22, 2022. CBC has blurred his face to protect his identity. (Ontario Superior Court in Milton)

In 2022, Cooney and Hamber told various people including Children’s Aid Society (CAS) workers, doctors, and therapists that L. L. had an eating disorder causing him to regurgitate food only to swallow it again.

However, when assistant Crown attorney Monica Mac Kenzie asked her questions about this claim, Cooney admitted that L. L. vomited at least 30 times between June and November.

“Surely you sought medical attention or help for [L. L.] when you were seeing him vomit?” Mac Kenzie queried.

“We did not take him to the family doctor,” Cooney replied.

“To the emergency department?” Mac Kenzie followed up.

“No,” said Cooney.





“You didn’t seek medical attention at all?” Mac Kenzie pressed further.

“No,” was Cooney’s response.





Accused Denies Not Providing Enough Food

Cooney and Hamber have maintained through their defense lawyers that L. L. and J. L.’s relationship with food was unhealthy due to past trauma; if given a chance, he would steal food or binge eat.

The court heard that’s why they locked kitchen cupboard doors while controlling when, where, how much the boys ate – even timing their meals.

“I’m going to suggest you that [L. L.] lost so much weight because you and Ms. Hamber were not feeding him sufficiently and withholding food from him; correct?” Mac Kenzie questioned.

“Incorrect,” said Cooney while adding they always provided an “adequate amount of food.”

Still, she admitted feeling “frustrated” when the boys complained about being hungry or finished their packed lunches hours before lunchtime.

“Did it at least cross your mind when you heard those boys were… still hungry at school that you weren’t sending enough food?” Mac Kenzie asked.

“No,” said Cooney.

The women instead informed schools that no additional food outside what they provided should be given; they even zip-tied lunchboxes shut with instructions for staff only cutting them open at lunchtime.

‘Lost His Food And Lost His Mind’

Soon after COVID-19 hit in early 2020,the boys stayed home.

Difficulties increased over time , as Hamber shared pictures on Instagram of healthy meals , using #traumamomsforthewin.

This led J. L. to testify earlier stating he didn’t eat any of those meals , revealing leading up toward his brother’s demise ; he was fed pureed foods exclusively.

The Crown showcased ten instances between twenty-twenty & twenty-two displaying texts from both women about taking away or withholding food from L. L. and J. L.Hamber looks down inside her box while her attorney Monte Mc Gregor probes into questioning towards Cooney who stands beside Justice Clayton Conlan within courtroom proceedings.(Pam Davies/CBC)

The pair communicated constantly , even while present together within same dwelling space ; although deleting most messages shortly following L. L.’s passing police managed retrieving eight thousand pages worth later on.
<P On Christmas Eve two thousand twenty-one Coony texted Hamber regarding some exercise routines involving these boys :
“Pretend they’re figuring out burpees inside shower whenever complaining concerning lack thereof nourishment.”
<P On March eleventh twenty-two , she questioned "Can I just not feed at all?" Whereupon responded back "No meals unless calm."
<P One month henceforth happened wherein indicated needful reminders noting bedtimes approaching requests seemed necessary thereafter since both siblings couldn’t afford skeleton-like appearances anymore! : 'Smoothie dinner', suggested one party!The reply came forth: ‘Fine enough indeed!’ Another suggestion made explicit-some liquid too.. Further detail included later noted close proximity dates before tragic circumstances occurred.. on October twenty-second – exactly two months prior losing dear child- Hammers’ message conveyed profound sense ‘loss’ concluding neatly expressing realization indicating truth derived often resulting strains experienced under these conditions originally presented caused concerns raised despite circumstances surrounding actions displayed may seem misleading perhaps reflect broader picture existing rather than presenting isolated events adequately representing entire scenarios encountered thus far.. Coone expected back witness stand returning Friday whereas Hammers anticipated testifying come January event transpiring altogether soon hereafter.. If you’re affected by this report,you can seek mental health support through resources available across province territories.

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