Key Takeaways:
- Brandy Cooney and Becky Hamber are on trial for first-degree murder and other charges related to the death of a 12-year-old Indigenous boy, L.L., and the alleged abuse of his brother, J.L.
- A child and family therapist, Terra Bovingdon, testified that she recommended activities such as play and repetition to help the boys deal with trauma, but did not suggest consistently pureeing their food.
- The defence claims that the couple used pureed food on Bovingdon’s recommendation, but she denied this.
- The trial has heard allegations of physical and emotional abuse, including confinement, assault, and neglect.
- The couple’s lawyers argue that they were doing their best to care for children with high needs and significant behavioural problems, with little help from the Children’s Aid Society (CAS) and service providers.
Introduction to the Trial
The trial of Brandy Cooney and Becky Hamber, two women accused of first-degree murder and other charges related to the death of a 12-year-old Indigenous boy, L.L., and the alleged abuse of his brother, J.L., has been ongoing since mid-September. The trial has heard from several witnesses, including mental health workers, first responders, medical experts, teachers, therapists, doctors, and J.L. himself. The Crown has alleged that the couple abused and neglected the children, while the defence claims that they were doing their best to care for children with high needs and significant behavioural problems, with little help from the Children’s Aid Society (CAS) and service providers.
Testimony of Terra Bovingdon
Terra Bovingdon, a child and family therapist, testified that she worked with Cooney, Hamber, and the boys in 2018 and 2019. She described her practice as "helping families to learn about what the brain’s doing, why it’s doing it and how to regulate from the bottom up," using techniques such as play and repetition. Bovingdon said that she recommended activities that are rhythmic and repetitive, such as biking, jumping on a trampoline, or colouring, to soothe the boys. She also suggested engaging with the boys at a younger level, such as playing hide and seek or snuggling and watching a kids’ show, for 10-to-15-minute increments, two or three times a day. However, she denied recommending that the women treat the boys like toddlers on an ongoing basis or that they climb stairs for 45 minutes or more at a time.
Allegations of Abuse and Neglect
The trial has heard allegations of physical and emotional abuse, including confinement, assault, and neglect. J.L. previously testified that he was confined to his room more than 90 per cent of the time and fed only pureed food during his five-year stay with the couple. The defence has said that the couple used pureed food on Bovingdon’s recommendation, but she denied this. The Crown has also alleged that the couple forced the boys to exercise and played videos of them climbing stairs in the house. The trial has been told that paramedics found L.L. unresponsive, soaking wet, and lying on the basement floor of his bedroom, which was locked from the outside. Witnesses said he was so severely malnourished and emaciated that he looked as if he could be six years old, even though he was twice that age.
Testimony of Chelsey Harding
Chelsey Harding, a child and youth worker from Woodview Mental Health and Autism Services, also testified about her work with the brothers. She had online sessions with the boys in 2020 and found it challenging to work with the family. Harding said she eventually quit her job "because I did not work with parents like Becky and Brandy anymore." She said that Hamber and Cooney would not let her work privately with the boys, would end sessions without notice, and would tell her how to do her job. The trial previously heard that CAS workers rarely met with the boys privately, even though it was a requirement. A social worker has also said she could not conduct private meetings because at least one of the women was always present.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The trial is set to resume on Monday, with more witnesses expected to testify. The Crown and defence will continue to present their cases, and Justice Clayton Conlan will ultimately decide the fate of Cooney and Hamber. The trial has highlighted the importance of providing adequate support and resources to families caring for children with high needs and significant behavioural problems. It has also raised questions about the role of the Children’s Aid Society and service providers in ensuring the well-being and safety of vulnerable children. If you’re affected by this report, you can look for mental health support through resources in your province or territory.
