WARNING: This story details allegations of child abuse.
A forensic pathologist has testified that he couldn’t determine the cause of death for a 12-year-old boy who was under the care of two women from Burlington, Ont.
However, Dr. Michael Pickup mentioned he also couldn’t rule out potential causes, such as hypothermia or cardiac arrest due to severe malnourishment.
Pickup, who serves as Ontario’s deputy chief forensic pathologist, provided his testimony on Tuesday and Wednesday during the trial of Brandy Cooney and Becky Hamber. The two women have pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder charges related to the boy’s death along with other accusations.
The pair were in the process of adopting the 12-year-old, referred to as L. L. in court, when he passed away in 2022. The names of L. L. and his younger brother, J. L., are kept private due to a publication ban.
Cooney and Hamber face additional charges including confinement, assault with a weapon-specifically zip ties-and neglecting to provide basic necessities for J. L.
The trial began last month at the Ontario Superior Court presided over by Justice Clayton Conlan in Milton and is expected to continue into November.
This type of evidence would be subtle according to Pickup who said he’d need more context surrounding the circumstances leading up to one’s death before reaching conclusions about such matters.
Mac Kenzie then presented what she called “a hypothetical” scenario reflecting the Crown’s perspective on this case.
If a “chronically malnourished” 12-year-old without blankets started shivering then received warmth through water only later being discovered by EMS immersed partially within liquid while wearing an entirely soaked wetsuit-could hypothermia have played a role?.: “It’s possible yes,” responded Pickup.....“““}“ The agreed statement outlines facts surrounding December 21st ,2022 when first responders located L. L. in basement bedroom where they found him completely drenched lying atop pool filled with unidentified fluid while wet suit having been cut off lay close nearby mesh cot-the sole furniture inside room
. An image depicts scene showing young boy alongside sibling captured earlier but faces blurred owing legal protections granted under publication ban. (Ontario Superior Court Milton )“, The defense sought more information regarding signs indicative hypothermia based state found during examination conducted by doctors. Cooneys attorney Kim Edward prompted inquiry relating any relevant clues observed indicating factors linked possible hypothermic condition. PICKUP clarified there weren ’t noticeable markers outside notably low temperature recorded hospital subsequent arrival patients arrived emergency medical services. Said doctor felt skeptical attributing significance readings considering uncertainty timing measurements made correlated events leading halt heartbeat Montes Mac Gregor representing Hamber pressed doctor questioning rationale behind belief regarding presence moisture covering body victimized individual observed multiple times throughout course investigations concerning matter raised complexities surrounding overall analysis offered insights might raise possibilities. Attorneys estimated volume liquid amounted upwards liter half weighing significant importance connected discussions impacted occurring scenarios posed numerous challenges interpreting reality involving actions attributed individuals around scene where existence occurred tragic outcome stemming unfortunate incidents unfolding becoming evident moments preceding demise ultimately influencing conclusions drawn during follow ups undertaken thereafter For those affected these developments reports you may seek mental health support options available province territory local resources assisting individuals facing trauma situations coping mechanisms necessary processing emotions arising troubling circumstances experienced firsthand
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Step-by-step Autopsy Report Review
Crown attorney Monica Mac Kenzie asked Pickup to go through his autopsy report on L. L. step by step and clarify his findings. Pickup stated that there were no signs of any “significant injury” or abnormalities on L. L.’s body. The autopsy revealed that L. L. had taken 11 pills identified as Venlafaxine, a medication he was prescribed. Health Canada indicates this drug is used for treating depression, anxiety or nervousness, social anxiety, and panic disorders. Becky Hamber, left, and Brandy Cooney, centre, sit in separate boxes during recent proceedings at their murder trial in Milton, Ont. Court sketch also shows Cooney’s lawyer, Kim Edward, third from right. Hamber’s lawyers are Monte Mac Gregor, second from right, and Nabeel Sheiban. (Pam Davies/CBC) Pickup indicated that tests showed the concentration of this medication was above normal levels for therapeutic use but not lethal. He noted that given how thin and small L. L. was at the time of death; malnutrition was “high on my list” as a potential cause. The court previously heard from an expert in child nutrition who testified that L. L.’s weight was just 48 pounds before his death-less than what he weighed at six years old-and confirmed he was severely malnourished at that time. “There’s nothing that can prove that he died from malnutrition,” Pickup stated Wednesday regarding his autopsy findings but added he couldn’t reliably measure electrolytes in L. L.’s blood once his heart stopped functioning. He explained that malnutrition could lead to imbalances in electrolytes affecting heart rhythm which could result in it stopping altogether; however this could neither be proven nor excluded as a cause of death here. Additionally he described how proving acute starvation would require finding high levels of ketones-acids produced when fat breaks down for energy instead of deriving energy from food sources. Although Pickup did not find ketones present in L. L.’s body their absence does not eliminate starvation as a possibility since L. L.’s extreme thinness meant there likely wasn’t much fat available for digestion anyway.Considering Hypothermia As A Possible Cause
Mac Kenzie further questioned Pickup about possible causes like drowning, smothering or hypothermia.This type of evidence would be subtle according to Pickup who said he’d need more context surrounding the circumstances leading up to one’s death before reaching conclusions about such matters.
Mac Kenzie then presented what she called “a hypothetical” scenario reflecting the Crown’s perspective on this case.
If a “chronically malnourished” 12-year-old without blankets started shivering then received warmth through water only later being discovered by EMS immersed partially within liquid while wearing an entirely soaked wetsuit-could hypothermia have played a role?.: “It’s possible yes,” responded Pickup.....“““}“ The agreed statement outlines facts surrounding December 21st ,2022 when first responders located L. L. in basement bedroom where they found him completely drenched lying atop pool filled with unidentified fluid while wet suit having been cut off lay close nearby mesh cot-the sole furniture inside room
. An image depicts scene showing young boy alongside sibling captured earlier but faces blurred owing legal protections granted under publication ban. (Ontario Superior Court Milton )“, The defense sought more information regarding signs indicative hypothermia based state found during examination conducted by doctors. Cooneys attorney Kim Edward prompted inquiry relating any relevant clues observed indicating factors linked possible hypothermic condition. PICKUP clarified there weren ’t noticeable markers outside notably low temperature recorded hospital subsequent arrival patients arrived emergency medical services. Said doctor felt skeptical attributing significance readings considering uncertainty timing measurements made correlated events leading halt heartbeat Montes Mac Gregor representing Hamber pressed doctor questioning rationale behind belief regarding presence moisture covering body victimized individual observed multiple times throughout course investigations concerning matter raised complexities surrounding overall analysis offered insights might raise possibilities. Attorneys estimated volume liquid amounted upwards liter half weighing significant importance connected discussions impacted occurring scenarios posed numerous challenges interpreting reality involving actions attributed individuals around scene where existence occurred tragic outcome stemming unfortunate incidents unfolding becoming evident moments preceding demise ultimately influencing conclusions drawn during follow ups undertaken thereafter For those affected these developments reports you may seek mental health support options available province territory local resources assisting individuals facing trauma situations coping mechanisms necessary processing emotions arising troubling circumstances experienced firsthand
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