WARNING: This story details allegations of child abuse and sexual abuse.
The trial for an Ontario couple accused in the death of one boy and allegedly torturing his brother is nearing its conclusion this week with co-accused Becky Hamber returning to the stand.
Hamber has already undergone four days of questioning from her lawyer, her wife Brandy Cooney’s lawyer, and the Crown. Since January 12, she has responded to inquiries about how they treated the boys while asserting that she loved them and did nothing to harm them during the adoption process.
Last month, Cooney also provided testimony over several days. The couple had been attempting to adopt two brothers before one was discovered dead in their Burlington home’s basement.
The Indigenous boys’ identities are protected under a publication ban. For our reporting, we refer to the older boy, who was 12 when he passed away on December 21, 2022, as L. L. and his younger brother as J. L.
Hamber, 46, and Cooney, 44, have pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder concerning L. L., along with charges of confinement, assault with a weapon – zip ties – and failing to provide necessities for J. L. The judge-alone trial commenced in mid-September at Milton Superior Court before Justice Clayton Conlan.
The Crown has claimed that Hamber and Cooney abused and neglected the brothers, who lived with them for around five years after spending time with foster parents in Ottawa.
Testimony revealed that paramedics found L. L. unresponsive, drenched and lying on his bedroom floor in the basement which was locked from outside. Witnesses stated he appeared so severely malnourished that he looked like a six-year-old despite being twice that age. He died shortly after arriving at the hospital.
A key issue throughout the trial has been why L. L. suffered such severe malnutrition in his final year. A pathologist previously testified that malnourishment could have contributed to or caused his death.
Both Cooney and Hamber claimed they did not withhold food as punishment.
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)
During Hamber’s testimony on Monday, prosecutors showed a video from August 2021 where L. L., wearing a wetsuit and red mittens, cried while repeatedly asking for food saying “It’s not fair. I’m hungry.”
The prosecution indicated that this video demonstrated how thin the boy was; while standing at the top of a staircase, you could see his neck bones clearly. Hamber stated she didn’t notice this detail and wasn’t worried because his weight fluctuated often.
Hamber expressed she didn’t believe L. L. was at risk and noted she was trying to get him into an Oakville eating disorders clinic.
Crown attorney Kelli Frew questioned why Hamber concentrated on one specific clinic despite L. L.’s acceptance into an eating disorder therapy program in fall 2022 which Hamber declined for him.
Hamber responded that based on her research back then; she thought she was making the right decision.
Hamber testified her texted remarks – like “Drown em in their poo” and “Is it wrong to want my child to leave?” – came from frustration rather than hatred.
Deleted text conversations recovered by police from their devices show Cooney and Hamber referring to L. L. and J. L. as “f-face,” “loser”and “it.” “I feel deeply ashamed,” said Hamber regarding those messages written out of dark humor while expressing frustration over many years.
“I can’t believe I let myself do that. I’m disgusted with myself,” she added stating she’d lost considerable sleep since those messages emerged during this trial.
She explained although methods like putting kids into zip-tied wetsuits might seem unconventional; these were essential for safety which Children’s Aid Society (CAS) knew about most instances.
While sometimes uncomfortable restraining boys’ movements; according to her it helped avoid self-harm or damage done within property conditions occurring around them.
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L. L. is seen inside his bedroom dressed up wearing wetsuit captured here dated March19th2022 mirror visible nearby raised during court session today.(Ontario Superior Courtin Milton)
Asked by Frew why zip-ties were used, Hamber replied neither child ever complained about it stressing preventive measure against potential strangulation by clothing instead. Her analogy made likening being put into wetsuit akin offering someone hugging gesture towards another individual.
Frew presented counterarguments reading texts shared between both women suggestinghow they viewed wetsuits could“seal him in”referring back towards L. L. Frew arguedthey preferred using these items simplifying clean-up if accidents happened overnight involving bedwetting concerns originatingfromthat particular minor.
However, Hamber denied allegations stating purpose behind employingzip-tie tacticsonto wetsuitswas stopping childrenfromurinating improperlyand preventing L. L. fromcausing himself physical harm through excessive stimulation.
Were tantrums exaggerated by accused?
Throughout hearings, Hamber frequently voiced frustrations surrounding explosive tantrums exhibitedbytheboys claimingthese actions resultedin damages worth tensof thousandsdollarsalongwith injuriesthat ledher breaking arm fingers multiple times ; a situation warranting attention frommedicalprofessional howeverfailedtakingthose steps accordingly due busy schedule revolvingaroundcaringforbothchildren effectivelygiven circumstancesat playcurrentlywhich included visitstoan urgentcare facilityonce onlyduringthis timeframe since troubles escalated severelyaccordingtoherclaims raisedwithin courtdetails.
Texts referred to boy as ‘loser’ and ‘it’
Another significant piece of evidence brought up during the trial involved text messages exchanged between both women where many comments about the boys were scrutinized.Hamber testified her texted remarks – like “Drown em in their poo” and “Is it wrong to want my child to leave?” – came from frustration rather than hatred.
Deleted text conversations recovered by police from their devices show Cooney and Hamber referring to L. L. and J. L. as “f-face,” “loser”and “it.” “I feel deeply ashamed,” said Hamber regarding those messages written out of dark humor while expressing frustration over many years.
“I can’t believe I let myself do that. I’m disgusted with myself,” she added stating she’d lost considerable sleep since those messages emerged during this trial.
Hamber explains dressing boys in wetsuits
The prosecution claims Hamber and Cooney would lock their children overnight for up to 18 hours using zip ties restraining them inside wetsuits along with sleep sacks or hockey helmets.She explained although methods like putting kids into zip-tied wetsuits might seem unconventional; these were essential for safety which Children’s Aid Society (CAS) knew about most instances.
While sometimes uncomfortable restraining boys’ movements; according to her it helped avoid self-harm or damage done within property conditions occurring around them.
Were tantrums exaggerated by accused?
Throughout hearings, Hamber frequently voiced frustrations surrounding explosive tantrums exhibitedbytheboys claimingthese actions resultedin damages worth tensof thousandsdollarsalongwith injuriesthat ledher breaking arm fingers multiple times ; a situation warranting attention frommedicalprofessional howeverfailedtakingthose steps accordingly due busy schedule revolvingaroundcaringforbothchildren effectivelygiven circumstancesat playcurrentlywhich included visitstoan urgentcare facilityonce onlyduringthis timeframe since troubles escalated severelyaccordingtoherclaims raisedwithin courtdetails.![]()
Crownlawyer Monica Mac Kenzieleftquestioned Cooneyn Miltoncourt Dec9(Pam Davies/CBC)
Judge questionswhy Hambertooknoactionreturningkids
While defending lawyer Monte Mac Gregorquestioned lastweekjudgeinterjectedaskingwhydidn’tsheattemptreturningboystothe CAS?
“We loved our kids,” answered Hamber.”We didnotwanttogiveuponthem.”She further elaborated though now doesn’tbelieve claimsregardingsexualabuseactually occurred , such fears indeed influenced decisionsmadeatthat time period verifyingpast incidents prior investigationsby CASpolice deemedunsubstantiatedagainstbothchildren pertheir statements made publicly. J. Lisclaimedwomen instructedhim alongwith L. L. to fabricate falseallegationshoweverdefensehaschallenged such assertions vehemently denying validity thereof entirely.
Next week’s hearing will resume Thursday Friday wherein proceedings conclude finalargumentsanticipated scheduled March onwards CBCcontinues live coverage beginning nine AM ET mornings ahead verdicts unfolding proceeding timeline following case development updates accordingly documenting entire overview reports activeupdates follow progress contextually detailing events transpiring all gathered here lastly.
If you’re affectedbythisreport, youcanlookfor mentalhealthsupportthroughresourcesyourprovinceorterritory.
Ifyou’re immediate dangerorfearforsafety orthatothersaroundyoupleasecall911. Forsupportinyourarea, youcanlookforcrisislinesandlocalservicesviathe Ending Sexual Violence Associationof Canada database.
Herearesomeotherhelplines:
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“We loved our kids,” answered Hamber.”We didnotwanttogiveuponthem.”She further elaborated though now doesn’tbelieve claimsregardingsexualabuseactually occurred , such fears indeed influenced decisionsmadeatthat time period verifyingpast incidents prior investigationsby CASpolice deemedunsubstantiatedagainstbothchildren pertheir statements made publicly. J. Lisclaimedwomen instructedhim alongwith L. L. to fabricate falseallegationshoweverdefensehaschallenged such assertions vehemently denying validity thereof entirely. Next week’s hearing will resume Thursday Friday wherein proceedings conclude finalargumentsanticipated scheduled March onwards CBCcontinues live coverage beginning nine AM ET mornings ahead verdicts unfolding proceeding timeline following case development updates accordingly documenting entire overview reports activeupdates follow progress contextually detailing events transpiring all gathered here lastly. If you’re affectedbythisreport, youcanlookfor mentalhealthsupportthroughresourcesyourprovinceorterritory. Ifyou’re immediate dangerorfearforsafety orthatothersaroundyoupleasecall911. Forsupportinyourarea, youcanlookforcrisislinesandlocalservicesviathe Ending Sexual Violence Associationof Canada database. Herearesomeotherhelplines:
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