Becky Hamber and Brandy Cooney were found guilty of first-degree murder in the death of a 12-year-old boy they were trying to adopt. The Ontario court ruled on this shocking case, which highlights systemic failures in child protection.
The couple had been attempting to adopt two boys, L.L. and J.L. Tragically, L.L. was found dead in the basement of their home on December 21, 2022.
The trial began in mid-September 2023. Justice Clayton Conlan determined that the couple unlawfully confined J.L. and failed to provide him with the necessaries of life.
The couple faced multiple charges including first-degree murder, confinement, assault with a weapon, and failing to provide the necessaries of life. They pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The judge’s decision was extensive—300 pages long—and included testimonies from dozens of witnesses.
Crown attorney Monica MacKenzie remarked, “This was an exceptionally tragic case with a profound impact on many people. A child’s life was taken and another child suffered significant abuse over a number of years.”
L.L.’s biological mother expressed her heartbreak, stating, “I want people to understand that we are not just a case or a story. We are real people, a family who has lived through heartbreak.”
A sentencing hearing will be held at a later date, where the couple could face up to 25 years in prison without parole for their convictions.