Milton, Ontario – A Canadian trial has revealed deeply disturbing allegations against two foster parents accused of subjecting a 12-year-old boy to prolonged physical and emotional abuse before he was found unresponsive, soaked, and severely malnourished inside their home.
Prosecutors allege that Brandy Cooney, 43, and Becky Hamber, 45, inflicted months of escalating cruelty on two Indigenous foster brothers in their care. Both women have pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, confinement, assault with a weapon, and failing to provide the necessaries of life.
The trial, which began in September, centers on the death of L.L., a boy whose condition had deteriorated to such an extreme that when first responders arrived on December 21, 2022, he appeared “half his age” due to emaciation. Paramedics found him drenched, covered in vomit, and unresponsive in a locked basement room of the couple’s Milton home, according to reporting presented in court.
A pathologist testified that L.L.’s death may have been caused by hypothermia or cardiac arrest linked to severe malnourishment, though an exact medical determination remains unclear.
Allegations of Extreme Control and Prolonged Abuse
Prosecutors describe a household where both boys lived under rigid control, constant surveillance, and punitive treatment. Evidence presented in court alleges that the women forced L.L. and his younger brother, J.L., to wear wetsuits secured with zip ties, restricted their movement by locking them in their rooms, and fed them pureed food typically meant for infants.
The boys reportedly slept in tents, were monitored by cameras, and were subjected to humiliating verbal abuse. According to text messages displayed in court, the women called L.L. a “loser” and an “idiot,” referred to their home as “Hamber Cooney prison,” and in one exchange, wrote “hope he gets an infection.”
The prosecution argues these messages reveal a pattern of resentment, intentional neglect, and cruelty toward the children.
Testimony from the Surviving Brother
J.L., now 13, testified that the women instructed him to make false claims about abuse in their prior foster home. He also recalled being confined to his room up to 90 percent of the time, with little access to proper food or free movement.
The boys had been living with Cooney and Hamber since 2017 after being moved from a long-term foster placement. Court records show the women had plans to adopt them.
Former Foster Parent Contradicts Defense Claims
Defense attorneys argue that the pair were caring for children with significant needs and took steps they believed were supportive, including using wetsuits to prevent bathroom accidents and providing pureed food under a mental health professional’s guidance.
But testimony from Heather Walsh, the boys’ former foster parent, directly contradicted those claims. Walsh described L.L. as a “very enthusiastic, social little guy” who had made significant progress before he was removed from her care.
She told the court she believes the child would still be alive had he been adopted by someone else.
What Happened on the Night of December 21
Paramedics responding to a 911 call found L.L. in dire condition. Despite emergency efforts, he died shortly after being transported to a nearby hospital. His extreme state of malnourishment shocked medical staff and investigators, who said the circumstances raised immediate red flags about ongoing abuse.
Authorities allege that prolonged confinement, neglect, and inadequate nutrition played critical roles in his physical decline.
Trial Continues as Community Seeks Answers
The case has drawn national attention due to the severity of the allegations and the children’s Indigenous heritage, raising further concerns about systemic gaps in child-welfare oversight.
The trial is expected to continue through at least mid-December, with additional witnesses and expert testimony anticipated.
If you have thoughts on this case or experiences with the foster system, share your perspective in the comments below.
