In a recent court testimony in Milton, Ontario, it was revealed that the Halton Children’s Aid Society (CAS) did not speak directly with a boy despite multiple reports of suspected abuse during the five years he lived with his potential adoptive parents. Lisa Potts, a retired CAS child protection worker, testified that even after a CAS worker expressed concerns about the boy’s physical appearance during a virtual call in September 2022, no follow-up visit was conducted before the boy’s tragic death on December 21 of the same year.
Paramedics discovered the 12-year-old unresponsive and severely malnourished in his locked basement bedroom on the night of his death. Despite efforts to save him, he passed away shortly after being taken to the hospital.
Brandy Hamber and Becky Cooney, the prospective adoptive parents, are currently facing charges of first-degree murder in a judge-only trial that commenced in mid-September and is anticipated to last until December. The identities of the deceased boy and his younger brother are protected by a publication ban, known as L.L. and J.L. respectively.
The CAS worker, Potts, confirmed that both boys experienced abusive treatment at the hands of Hamber and Cooney. The court also heard that the women were charged with confinement, assault with a weapon (zip ties), and neglecting to provide essential care to J.L., all of which they denied. Their defense team argued that the lack of support from CAS and service providers hindered their ability to care for the boys, who struggled with behavioral issues.
Justice Clayton Conlan expressed his disdain for the women’s refusal to acknowledge the boys’ Indigenous heritage, stating that it reflected poorly on their suitability as parents, though not necessarily constituting a criminal offense.
Throughout the years, various reports from concerned professionals raised alarms about the treatment of the boys by Hamber and Cooney. The CAS, as per protocol, should have conducted thorough investigations and interviews with the children independently, which did not occur in this case. The women made unsubstantiated claims about the boys’ behavior, including severe property damage and physical harm, without providing any evidence to support their allegations.
Despite the pandemic affecting the boys’ schooling and social interactions, Potts confirmed that the CAS had pushed for medical check-ups for the children, particularly for L.L. who had been visibly losing weight. However, Hamber’s reluctance to comply due to health concerns further raised red flags among CAS officials.
The trial is ongoing, with Potts yet to undergo cross-examination. The court proceedings are set to continue, shedding light on the tragic events leading up to the boy’s untimely demise.