A lesbian woman on trial for the murder of her 12-year-old foster son has told a court she used zip-ties to restrain the child, claiming it was to prevent him from harming himself or damaging property.
"An Absolutely Horrendous Decision"
Brandy Cooney and Becky Hamber, from Ontario, Canada, are currently standing trial for the death of the boy, identified only as L.L., who died in their care on December 21, 2022. The court heard the child was discovered in the couple's basement, soaking wet, unresponsive, and severely emaciated, weighing less than he did at six years old. He later died in hospital.
During disturbing testimony, it was revealed that both L.L. and his younger brother, J.L., were restrained with zip-ties on multiple occasions. When questioned about this practice, Hamber stated she and her wife used the method to manage the siblings' behaviour. Despite this justification, she conceded it was a mistake, particularly referencing one incident where the younger brother was injured after his shoes were tied together.
Hamber described that choice as "an absolutely horrendous decision and should never have happened." She also claimed social workers assigned to the children's case were aware the couple was using zip-ties and other measures to control the boys.
A Pattern of Alleged Abuse and Neglect
The court heard further details of the children's living conditions. The brothers were allegedly forced to sleep in tents erected on their beds, behind locked doors, a measure Hamber said was to prevent them from running away or wandering. "We kind of felt like we were out of options to keep the children safe," she told the court.
Evidence presented last month revealed the couple referred to the 12-year-old victim with a vile nickname in text messages. In one exchange from November 20, 2022, Cooney wrote to her father about the boy, seemingly dismissing signs of his distress as "a fake fall for sympathy." Later that day, her concern appeared to grow, suggesting he might need hospital care.
Hamber's response in the text chain was chilling: "Guess the stupid choices are really getting him. No sleep, starving, dehydrated, and no poo...the perfect storm." She added, "We're doing the best we can do," despite testimony that the boy was screaming and trying to escape a locked basement before he died.
A System Under Scrutiny
Both women have pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder, unlawful confinement, and assault with a weapon. The Indigenous brothers had been living with Hamber and Cooney since 2017, and the couple had planned to adopt them. The boys remained wards of the Children's Aid Society (CAS) at the time of L.L.'s death.
The trial has exposed alarming details about the boys' treatment. The surviving brother, now 13, testified that he and L.L. were forced to wear hockey helmets and wetsuits for hours. He is a key witness for the prosecution.
Medical evidence showed L.L.'s drastic decline. The family doctor, Graeme (Stephen) Duncan, saw the boy on December 13, 2022—just days before his death—and noted he had lost 10lbs in a year and weighed less than he did at age six, yet described him as "normal."
Social worker Stefanie Peachey told the court she had recorded "yellow flags" after seeing the younger brother zip-tied into his pyjamas. She expressed concern about the negative narrative surrounding the boys' identities. The trial continues with the prosecutor's cross-examination due to begin.
