WARNING: This story details allegations of child abuse.
In the days leading up to his death, a 12-year-old boy living with two women in Burlington, Ont., was suffering from “severe malnutrition” and weighed less than he had at age 6.
This information came from Dr. Emma Cory, a pediatrician who testified for the Crown on Monday as an expert witness during the trial of Brandy Cooney and Becky Hamber, who have pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in proceedings that began last month.
The pair were in the process of adopting the boy, known as L. L., along with his younger brother, referred to as J. L. The identities of both Indigenous boys are protected by a publication ban.
Cooney and Hamber face additional charges including confinement, assault with a weapon – specifically zip ties – and failing to provide necessities of life to J. L.
The judge-only trial is being held under Justice Clayton Conlan in Superior Court in Milton and is expected to continue into November.
The Crown contends that Cooney and Hamber disliked the boys and kept them locked away in their rooms, with L. L. being confined for most of the last year of his life. They also argue that the couple monitored the boys using cameras, limited their food intake, and forced them to exercise.
During cross-examinations of witnesses, the defense has highlighted the lack of support given to these prospective adoptive parents by Children’s Aid Society (CAS) as well as reported issues L. L. faced such as aggression. The lawyers for both women have also questioned if he may have had an eating disorder or another food-related issue.
A 12-year-old boy died on Dec. 21, 2022. He’s shown on the left with his younger brother in a photo from years earlier. CBC has blurred the faces of the boys, whose identities are protected under a publication ban. (Ontario Superior Court in Milton)
Cory works at Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto where she provides care for suspected victims of abuse and neglect. She reviewed L. L.’s health records before and after his death on Dec. 21, 2022.
Throughout Cory’s testimony which started Monday and continued into Tuesday, Cooney and Hamber sat hunched over in separate prisoner’s docks taking notes by hand while rarely looking up at what was happening around them. Both had their hair tied back and wore green jail-issued jumpsuits along with blue medical masks.
The two accused are being represented by separate defense attorneys.
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Dr. Emma Cory, a pediatrician called by the Crown as an expert witness, testified about L. L.’s medical records leading up to his death. Justice Clayton Conlan is presiding over the trial. (Pam Davies/CBC)
The family doctor noted that L. L had “lost weight and was clearly quite thin,” sending out referrals so he could be evaluated for an eating disorder according to her testimony.
This particular doctor has not yet been called upon to testify; Cory mentioned she couldn’t know everything discussed between him other medical professionals or Cooney and Hamber based solely on her review notes.
The judge interjected saying it is “shocking” how L. L’s family doctor hadn’t taken further action despite seeing such dramatic weight loss without maintaining any specific records regarding what steps were taken.
Both women’s lawyers asked Cory whether she would expect this family doctor would’ve sent L. L immediately to hospital following either appointment back then.
Cory emphasized although she would’ve felt concerned agreeing that this indicated there was definitely an issue regarding weight loss but lacked sufficient info confirming it outright.
The pediatrician added she didn’t find enough evidence suggesting diagnosing him definitively nor did they discover any chronic illnesses present within him either.
No cause yet established related towards why exactly led up until eventual passing occurred however said “For children experiencing severe malnutrition potential worst outcome here means death.”
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Boy looked like a ‘Holocaust survivor,’ says defense
Cory did not treat or assess L. L when he was alive but reviewed many years’ worth of medical records from family doctor visits while tracking his growth. She mentioned that there were no concerns about his weight or height prior to him moving in with Hamber and Cooney back in 2017. L. L had been healthy while living with a long-term foster family in Ottawa where he was born along with his younger brother; Cory stated that his foster mom previously testified about how he had a big appetite and wasn’t picky about food. Records from a doctor’s visit back in 2021 indicate that L. L lost significant weight during that time. Hamber’s lawyer Monte Mac Gregor presented a video taken of L. L from October 2022 just months before he passed away. He commented that the boy’s sunken cheeks made him look like a “Holocaust survivor.” When L. L saw this same doctor on Dec. 13, 2022 – just eight days before he died – he weighed only 48 pounds at around four-foot-five tall; according to Cory this made him smaller than more than 99.99 percent of children his age, indicating he had stopped growing altogether.The judge interjected saying it is “shocking” how L. L’s family doctor hadn’t taken further action despite seeing such dramatic weight loss without maintaining any specific records regarding what steps were taken.
Both women’s lawyers asked Cory whether she would expect this family doctor would’ve sent L. L immediately to hospital following either appointment back then.
Cory emphasized although she would’ve felt concerned agreeing that this indicated there was definitely an issue regarding weight loss but lacked sufficient info confirming it outright.
The pediatrician added she didn’t find enough evidence suggesting diagnosing him definitively nor did they discover any chronic illnesses present within him either.
No cause yet established related towards why exactly led up until eventual passing occurred however said “For children experiencing severe malnutrition potential worst outcome here means death.”
Crown questions if women knew boy was dying
. Cory stated there should’ve been clear signs showing how malnourished L. L really became while under care provided by Cooney & Hamber-like low energy levels sagging skin frequent bruises trouble focusing & bleeding gums. ><></stronspanspan >g>s.Cory said it would appear obvious something wasn’t right since November when Crown alleges both women acknowledged condition worsening considering texts recovered later showed messages discussing cold symptoms vomiting struggles staying alert etc… /spanspan >They describe him simply within those texts referring towards believing somehow thought describing might seem humorous mentioning even wondering if perhaps dying too soon! Frew said ““They do not call for help take him hospital reach out anyone!”..Hereinafter Frew states they opted instead place heater near room heat turned home higher swapped wetsuit regular clothing added blankets giving walkie-talkie access call assistance during next weeks check-up!</value=""On night December twenty-first “L lay flooring within same area dressed again wetsuit soaked appearing increasingly resembling average six-years old,”. First responders found positioned together near mesh cot which counted sole furnishing space available inside room. Officer entering kitchen noticed all cupboards equipped locks preventing use saw smoothie bottle straw sink–Hamber claimed belonged meals served little one emptied container contained milk. p tag elements act accordingly reflecting level severity experienced namely core body temperature falling dangerously low hypothermia resulted subsequently causing rapid decline worsened health ultimately leading tragic demise shortly thereafter.. If you’re affected by this report you can look for mental health support through resources available province territory.
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