WARNING: This story details allegations of child abuse.
During the five years a boy spent with his potential adoptive parents, the Halton Children’s Aid Society (CAS) never interviewed him alone, despite receiving several reports about suspected mistreatment, a Milton, Ont., court heard.
Even in a virtual meeting in September 2022, when a CAS worker expressed concerns about the boy’s noticeable thinness, paleness, sunken cheeks and dark circles under his eyes, there was no follow-up visit before he passed away on Dec. 21 that year, confirmed Lisa Potts, a retired CAS child protection worker.
That night, emergency responders found the 12-year-old unresponsive and drenched on the basement floor of his small bedroom, which was locked from the outside. The court has been informed he was so severely malnourished and emaciated that he looked like he might be six years old. He died shortly after arriving at the hospital.
Becky Hamber and Brandy Cooney have pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder at their trial without jury. It began in mid-September and is expected to continue into December.
The names of the boy who died and his younger brother are protected by a publication ban. CBC refers to them as L. L. and J. L., respectively.
The women face additional charges of confinement, assault with a weapon – zip ties – and failing to provide essential care to J. L., which they’ve also pleaded not guilty to. Their defense attorneys argue that they received minimal support from CAS and service providers for caring for boys who had significant behavioral challenges.
A variety of witnesses have been called to testify – including first responders, medical professionals, teachers, therapists and others – but Potts is the first witness from CAS to take the stand. Although she didn’t work with L. L. while he was alive, she was brought in afterward for an investigation in 2023.
She testified that she could confirm that L. L. and J. L. were abused by Hamber and Cooney.
Brandy Cooney and Becky Hamber are seen here on trial in Ontario Superior Court in Milton for allegedly murdering a 12-year-old boy under their care in 2022. (Becky Hamber/Facebook)
“You verified cruel and inappropriate treatment?” assistant Crown attorney Monica Mac Kenzie asked Potts on Friday.
“Yes,” said Potts.
“And you also verified emotional harm involving name-calling, bottle-feeding, pureed food feeding and isolation?”
“Yes,” said Potts. “For both children.”
She stated that the boys were also made to wear clothing secured with zip ties such as wetsuits, onesies, shoes and helmets.
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J. L., left; L. L., right are shown together in an undated photo presented as evidence during court proceedings. (Ontario Superior Court in Milton)
Cooney and Hamber also rejected acknowledging that the boys were Indigenous or allowed them any connection with their identity or biological Indigenous family said Potts.
A rare comment came from Justice Clayton Conlan during proceedings:
“I find it offensive that someone would doubt someone’s Indigenous status,” he stated before those present at court.” It makes them unfit as parents; it’s true – but it doesn’t mean they’re guilty of committing any criminal acts.”
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J. L.’s room captured after L. l’s passing shown evidentially; there weren’t blankets &jl slept within mesh tent as per court disclosures.(Ontario Superior Courtin Milton)
With commencement pandemic backin2020, both youngsters began homeschooling diminishingoutside interactions whilst reports revealed attempts seeking assistancefrom psychiatrists/therapists yielded results wherein mothersupervised sessions ended abruptly ceased altogether declined services instead.
In early2021, CAS pushedfor checkups medically specifically L. l who appeared weightloss-verifiedbypotts themselves however Hamberresponded angrily claimingimmunocompromisedunable risking contracting COVID-19 shooting off email expressing frustrationstowards CAS Mac Kenzie readthis aloudwithin courtroom setting.
“Yet again, it appearsyou’re putting priorityonchildren’s healthover mine,”Hambertoldcas.” Yes,[L. l.] lost weightbutnot anyoneat homeresponsibilityforit. He’sclassicabuse victim navigatinglife attemptingto punishadults”.
Nextscheduledvisit took place November21, l conveyed having “difficultnight” dropping dinner onto ground eatingitoffcarpet resulting noneadditionaldinnerprovidedtohim as CASS notesindicated.
“He’s tryingtotalk being interrupted often revealing feelings sadnessregardingabsenceinvitation Family Halloweenpartyexpressingwantingtobearoundparentswhile hamber continued dismissively accusinghis tears fakinginhiswords”
‘Offensive’ to doubt boy’s Indigenous status says judge
The boys were moved from Ottawa to Burlington in 2017 to live with Hamber and Cooney while they pursued adoption attempts according to court testimony. They remained wards of Ottawa CAS while Halton CAS oversaw adoption supervision. This process usually takes around two years but it was never completed due to concerns about Hamber’s and Cooney’s “financial struggles.” The couple refused permission for interviews where the boys would speak privately with a children’s lawyer – something typically required for adoption finalization. The women were “very concerned” that if L. L met privately with this lawyer he wouldn’t agree to adoption; they claimed he’d lie if left alone just so it would make them appear like “the bad guys,” notes from caseworkers indicated.L. L.’s behavior misinterpreted by accused says CAS
The CAS received multiple reports over time regarding how Hamber treated both L. L. & J. L.; these came from worried doctors , therapists , and teachers. If reports come into CAS then there’s an obligation for investigations which include talking directly alone with children according To potts. If there had been worries about parent-child dynamics home visits should’ve happened unannounced yet this didn’t occur she explained. The women put forth alarming claims regarding behaviors exhibited by both kids-asserting they functioned mentally similar compared one-year-olds-with instances noted where urination , vomiting , defecation occurred throughout property leading extensive damages caused along munching excessively along citing instances when L. l broke hambers arm. However potts emphasized no proof ever provided authorities supporting these assertions made solely reported parents alone.Tears flowing downhischeeks duringconversation
In July followingthatmeetingschedulingcaseworkerspoke L virtuallyduringwhichhamberlistened closelyin backgroundaccording records’notes stating,“He’s tryingtotalk being interrupted often revealing feelings sadnessregardingabsenceinvitation Family Halloweenpartyexpressingwantingtobearoundparentswhile hamber continued dismissively accusinghis tears fakinginhiswords”
Be surewatchersdidnoteshouldendwithlackofsolidaritytheyfeelpossible neglectregardingtheirmomentswhereangeremotionallystraineddetected !
Nextmeetingscheduledoccurred monthslaterwhenworkernoticed signs dramaticweight lossleadingthem raisingconcerns updatingthose involved however stillno followupwas undertaken prior demise occurred Potshasyettobecross-examinedtrial proceedscontinuing Friday. If you’re affectedbythisreport, you can seekmentalhealthsupport through resourcesin yourprovinceorterritory.
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