An Ontario court heard that the Children’s Aid Society (CAS) had received multiple reports of concerns regarding possible abuse and neglect in the years leading up to the tragic death of a 12-year-old boy in the care of his potential adoptive parents. Despite these reports, the boy, identified as L.L., and his younger brother remained under the care of Brandy Cooney and Becky Hamber for over five years until the boy was discovered emaciated and unresponsive in their Burlington home, where he later passed away in the hospital.
Cooney and Hamber are currently on trial, facing charges of first-degree murder of L.L., as well as confinement, assault with a weapon, and failing to provide necessities for his brother, J.L. The identities of the boys are protected under a publication ban, and both women have pleaded not guilty to the charges. The trial, being conducted in Milton with a judge only, commenced last month and is anticipated to continue into December.
While no CAS representatives have testified yet regarding the actions taken to assist the boys, it is important to note that the society itself is not on trial. However, the case has sparked inquiries into the CAS’s involvement leading up to the tragic demise of L.L. The boys, who are of Indigenous descent, were under the care of the CAS of Ottawa.
Originally from Ottawa, the boys, L.L. and J.L., were placed with foster parents Heather Walsh and her family before the adoption process with Cooney and Hamber began. Despite resistance from the boys’ grandmother in court, the boys were relocated to Burlington in 2017, where the Halton CAS assumed daily supervision responsibilities. It was noted that Cooney and Hamber did not complete the adoption process.
Therapist Erin Nolan, who was part of a team considering therapy for the boys, raised concerns about the women’s handling of the children’s allegations and their interactions with service providers. The women exhibited a tendency to pathologize the children, according to Nolan, and ultimately decided not to proceed with therapy due to concerns about reporting requirements to children’s aid.
In court testimonies, it was alleged that Cooney and Hamber struggled to care for the boys, while relying on financial assistance from adoption programs. The defense argued that the boys’ challenging behaviors made caregiving difficult and emphasized the lack of support from children’s aid.
Various individuals, including teachers and therapists, voiced concerns about the boys’ well-being, reporting incidents of self-harm and alleged mistreatment. Despite these red flags, the CAS’s response to these reports has come under scrutiny, with questions raised about the adequacy of interventions to safeguard the boys.
The tragic events leading to L.L.’s death shed light on the importance of safeguarding vulnerable children and the critical role of child protection agencies in ensuring their well-being. The trial continues as further details emerge surrounding the circumstances that led to this heartbreaking outcome.
