Canadian Foster Mothers Face Murder Trial Over Alleged Torture Death of 12-Year-Old Boy
Two lesbian foster mothers have been accused of torturing a 12-year-old boy to death by forcing him to wear a soaking wetsuit while mocking him with cruel messages, according to disturbing claims presented by prosecutors during their murder trial. The case involves Becky Hamber, 44, and Brandy Cooney, 46, who have pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder, unlawful confinement, and assault with a weapon in connection with the death of a child identified only as LL.
Emaciated Boy Found Unresponsive in Basement
The tragic incident occurred on December 21, 2022, when LL was discovered soaking wet, unresponsive, and severely emaciated in the basement of the couple's Toronto-area home in Burlington. He was pronounced dead at the hospital shortly after being found. Prosecutors detailed in their closing arguments how the women allegedly starved both LL and his younger brother, identified as JL, while forcing them to wear wetsuits and helmets for extended periods.
Messages presented in court revealed the women allegedly wrote: "Shiver, shiver dumb f**k" to the suffering child. Prosecutors further claimed the women suggested that if the boy wanted to stay warm, he would need to exercise, demonstrating a callous disregard for his wellbeing.
Prosecutors Allege Intentional Abuse and Neglect
Prosecutor Monica MacKenzie argued that the women were fully aware of the potentially fatal consequences of their actions. This was supported by a text message from Cooney to Hamber that read: "Unfortunately, my thoughts [are] he is suddenly going to die, and I'm going to jail." The foster mothers, who were in the process of adopting both boys, allegedly committed these acts because they "hated" the children, according to court testimony.
The prosecution presented evidence showing LL weighed only 48 pounds at the time of his death. Social worker Faisel Modhi testified that the couple claimed this extreme emaciation resulted from an eating disorder where the boy would regurgitate his food, chew it again, and lick it off the floor. However, Modhi also revealed that LL slept on a tiny cot frequently covered in vomit that was only cleaned with wipes.
Defense Claims Wetsuits Were for Safety
Defense lawyers countered these allegations by arguing that the wetsuits and helmets were implemented for the boys' safety to prevent self-harm and accidents around the house. They also noted that social workers never questioned the mothers' methods or raised concerns during visits. However, JL testified that during these visits, the couple would dress him in normal clothing to conceal the abuse.
JL's testimony provided harrowing details of the alleged torture. He claimed that he and his brother were forced to wear hockey helmets and wetsuits for hours on end, locked in their rooms at night while being constantly monitored through cameras. The boys were allegedly prohibited from speaking for days at a time, with additional days of silence added if they dared to communicate.
Brothers Separated Despite Living Together
The two brothers first moved into the couple's home in 2017 from a foster home in Ottawa. JL testified that the couple quickly separated them from playing together because "sometimes we'd argue." Once homeschooling began in 2020 following COVID-19 restrictions, JL saw his brother less frequently despite living in the same house.
On the day of LL's death, the couple told Modhi that the child had largely been by himself except when he threw up his breakfast and lunch. Cooney allegedly took LL's blanket away and instructed him to "calm down" before discovering him unresponsive with "vomit everywhere." The couple then called 911, but it was too late to save the boy.
Court Footage Reveals Disrespect Allegations
Footage from the boy's room shown in court captured a voice believed to be Hamber's telling LL to "lay down because he was being disrespectful." Modhi added that the couple would direct the suffering child to perform yoga poses or walk around his basement room as he agonized.
The fate of Cooney and Hamber now rests with Justice Clayton Conlan. A short update on the case is expected on April 24, when Justice Conlan may inform the court about when he expects to reach a decision in this deeply disturbing child abuse case that has shocked the Canadian community.
