In the days prior to his passing, a 12-year-old boy under the guardianship of two women in Burlington, Ontario, was reportedly suffering from severe malnutrition, weighing less than he did at the age of 6, as stated by Dr. Emma Cory, a pediatrician called upon by the prosecution as an expert witness in the trial of Brandy Cooney and Becky Hamber. The two women have pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and are also facing charges of confinement, assault with a weapon (specifically zip ties), and neglecting to provide essential care to the boy’s younger brother, identified as J.L. Both boys are Indigenous and have their identities protected by a publication ban.
The trial, presided over by Justice Clayton Conlan in Superior Court in Milton, has been ongoing since last month and is anticipated to continue into November. The prosecution alleges that Cooney and Hamber harbored animosity towards the boys, keeping them locked in their rooms, monitoring them via cameras, restricting their food intake, and imposing exercise routines.
During the trial, the defense has raised concerns about the lack of support provided by the Children’s Aid Society to the prospective adoptive parents and have questioned whether the deceased boy, referred to as L.L., had an eating disorder or another food-related condition. Dr. Cory, who works at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto and specializes in caring for suspected abuse victims, examined L.L.’s medical records leading up to his demise on December 21, 2022.
Cory, who testified on Monday and Tuesday, highlighted the significant weight loss and stunted growth L.L. experienced while in the care of Cooney and Hamber. The defense presented a video from October 2022 showing L.L. with a gaunt appearance, comparing him to a “Holocaust survivor.” The boy’s family doctor noted his drastic weight loss and referred him for an eating disorder assessment shortly before his death, where he weighed a mere 48 pounds and was significantly below the average size for his age group.
Although the exact cause of L.L.’s death has not been determined in court, Dr. Cory emphasized the critical risks associated with severe malnutrition, stating that death is a potential outcome for children in such conditions.
The Crown contends that there were clear indications of L.L.’s malnourishment while under Cooney’s and Hamber’s care, pointing to text messages where the women expressed concerns about his deteriorating health but did not seek medical help. On the evening of December 21, L.L. was discovered in a dire state, dressed in a wetsuit, and exhibiting signs of severe hypothermia. Despite efforts to assist him, L.L. succumbed to his condition shortly after arriving at the hospital.