WARNING: This story details allegations of child abuse.
In the days leading up to his death, a 12-year-old boy under the care of two women from Burlington, Ont., was suffering from “severe malnutrition” and weighed less than he did at age 6.
This information comes from Dr. Emma Cory, a pediatrician who testified as an expert witness for the Crown on Monday during the trial of Brandy Cooney and Becky Hamber. Both women have pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in this case that started last month.
The two were in the process of adopting the boy, known as L. L., along with his younger brother, referred to in court as J. L. The identities of both Indigenous boys are protected by a publication ban.
Cooney and Hamber also face charges related to confinement, assault with a weapon – specifically zip ties – and failing to provide necessary care for 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 claims that Cooney and Hamber had disdain for the boys and confined them to their rooms, with L. L. being kept locked away for much of his final year alive. They also allege that the couple monitored the boys using cameras, limited their food intake, and forced them to exercise excessively.
During cross-examinations of witnesses, the defense has pointed out the lack of support given to these prospective adoptive parents by the Children’s Aid Society (CAS) as well as L. L.’s reported difficulties like aggression issues. The attorneys representing both women have also raised questions about whether he might have had an eating disorder or some other food-related issue.
L. L., left, was 16 months older than J. L., court has been told. They’re shown in a photo from years earlier. (Ontario Superior Court in Milton)
Cory works at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto where she treats suspected victims of abuse and neglect. She reviewed L. L.’s medical records before and after he passed away on Dec. 21, 2022.
Throughout Cory’s testimony that began on Monday and continued into Tuesday, Cooney and Hamber sat hunched over in separate docks reserved for prisoners, appearing focused on taking handwritten notes while rarely looking up from their papers. Both women wore green jail-issued jumpsuits with their hair pulled back along with blue medical masks.
The two accused are each represented by their own legal counsel.
When L. L saw that same doctor on Dec. 13, 2022-just eight days before passing-he weighed only 48 pounds at around four-foot-five tall according to Cory’s statement during her testimony.
He would’ve been smaller than over 99.99 percent of children his age which indicated he’d stopped growing altogether. The family doctor noted that L. L had “lost weight and was clearly quite thin,” sending off a referral so he could be evaluated for an eating disorder she added. This particular doctor has yet to take the stand; therefore Cory said she doesn’t know everything discussed between him other healthcare professionals or between Cooney & Hamber themselves. The judge intervened saying while L. L’s family doctor “is not on trial here,” it’s “shocking” how dramatic weight loss could occur without “records detailing specific actions taken.” BOTH women’s lawyers asked Cory if she thought it would’ve been reasonable for this family doctor send L. L straight into hospital following either appointment held during either year.
Cory emphasized although she “would’ve been concerned” adding it should’ve been “a clear indication this is problematic,” however lacked sufficient details supporting such conclusions.
She asserted too there wasn’t enough evidence available diagnose him suffering any eating disorders nor indicating chronic illnesses present. While courts haven’t identified what caused L. L.’s death; Cory noted that “For children facing severe malnutrition-the worst possible outcome can indeed be death.”
Symptoms may include low energy levels; sagging skin appearance; increased bruising rates alongside focus problems & bleeding gums.
According According To Allegations Presented By The Crown In November-the two women were conscious regarding how unwell things looked concerning young boy’s health status. Deleted messages later retrieved by police showed conversations between them discussing incidents relating directly tied toward feeling cold-including when they found him trembling within confined basement bedroom space struggling merely concentrating speaking even standing upright properly said Kelli Frew prosecutor handling case based on these texts they described condition making claims like calling him “drunk,” questioning whether anyone might fear he’s dying instead.
“Instead Of Seeking Assistance Or Medical Attention-they opted simply placing heater outside room setting thermostat higher within home replacing wetsuit back clothing socks toque giving blankets plus walkie talkie allowing reach help.”
“It was weeks later when they finally took him back again going through regular checkup routine scheduled.”
“The night December twenty-first sees eyewitnesses discovering lifeless body lying down floor dressed fully wetsuit soaking wet appearing more closely resembling an average six-year old rather than twelve,” Frew claimed recounting events happening right before demise.
First responders found him there according concluded agreement outlining facts revealing wetsuit cut off near mesh cot considered only furniture available within room itself. A police officer noted finding all kitchen cupboard doors equipped locks designed restrict child access seeing smoothie bottle straw located sink identified stemming meal consumed lately along empty milk container visible next door nearby area.” L. L., whose core body temperature dropped dangerously low resulting hypothermia conditions died shortly thereafter arriving hospital then life support efforts ceased.” If you’re affected by this report you can look for mental health support through resources available across your province/territory.
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Defense Claims Boy Resembled ‘Holocaust Survivor’
Cory did not treat or assess L. L while he was alive but examined years’ worth of medical records including family doctor visits and documented his growth patterns. She stated she had no concerns regarding his weight or height prior to him living with Hamber and Cooney beginning in 2017. Cory mentioned he had been a healthy child living with a long-term foster family in Ottawa where both he and his younger brother were born; according to his foster mother’s testimony, he used to have a huge appetite without being picky about food. A doctor’s visit record from 2021 indicated that L. L had lost considerable weight. Hamber’s attorney Monte Mac Gregor presented a video showing L. L from October 2022-months before his death-stating that due to caved-in cheeks; he looked like a “Holocaust survivor.”
When L. L saw that same doctor on Dec. 13, 2022-just eight days before passing-he weighed only 48 pounds at around four-foot-five tall according to Cory’s statement during her testimony.He would’ve been smaller than over 99.99 percent of children his age which indicated he’d stopped growing altogether. The family doctor noted that L. L had “lost weight and was clearly quite thin,” sending off a referral so he could be evaluated for an eating disorder she added. This particular doctor has yet to take the stand; therefore Cory said she doesn’t know everything discussed between him other healthcare professionals or between Cooney & Hamber themselves. The judge intervened saying while L. L’s family doctor “is not on trial here,” it’s “shocking” how dramatic weight loss could occur without “records detailing specific actions taken.” BOTH women’s lawyers asked Cory if she thought it would’ve been reasonable for this family doctor send L. L straight into hospital following either appointment held during either year.
Cory emphasized although she “would’ve been concerned” adding it should’ve been “a clear indication this is problematic,” however lacked sufficient details supporting such conclusions.
She asserted too there wasn’t enough evidence available diagnose him suffering any eating disorders nor indicating chronic illnesses present. While courts haven’t identified what caused L. L.’s death; Cory noted that “For children facing severe malnutrition-the worst possible outcome can indeed be death.”
Crown Says Women Aware Boy Was Unwell
Cory explained there would’ve been noticeable signs indicating malnourishment while under care provided by Cooney & Hamber.Symptoms may include low energy levels; sagging skin appearance; increased bruising rates alongside focus problems & bleeding gums.
According According To Allegations Presented By The Crown In November-the two women were conscious regarding how unwell things looked concerning young boy’s health status. Deleted messages later retrieved by police showed conversations between them discussing incidents relating directly tied toward feeling cold-including when they found him trembling within confined basement bedroom space struggling merely concentrating speaking even standing upright properly said Kelli Frew prosecutor handling case based on these texts they described condition making claims like calling him “drunk,” questioning whether anyone might fear he’s dying instead.
“Instead Of Seeking Assistance Or Medical Attention-they opted simply placing heater outside room setting thermostat higher within home replacing wetsuit back clothing socks toque giving blankets plus walkie talkie allowing reach help.”
“It was weeks later when they finally took him back again going through regular checkup routine scheduled.”
“The night December twenty-first sees eyewitnesses discovering lifeless body lying down floor dressed fully wetsuit soaking wet appearing more closely resembling an average six-year old rather than twelve,” Frew claimed recounting events happening right before demise.First responders found him there according concluded agreement outlining facts revealing wetsuit cut off near mesh cot considered only furniture available within room itself. A police officer noted finding all kitchen cupboard doors equipped locks designed restrict child access seeing smoothie bottle straw located sink identified stemming meal consumed lately along empty milk container visible next door nearby area.” L. L., whose core body temperature dropped dangerously low resulting hypothermia conditions died shortly thereafter arriving hospital then life support efforts ceased.” If you’re affected by this report you can look for mental health support through resources available across your province/territory.
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