CONTENT WARNING: The following article contains information about child abuse.
A 12-year-old boy, referred to as L.L. to protect his identity, was extremely malnourished and underweight when he visited his family doctor for a checkup just eight days before his tragic death while under the care of two women in Burlington, Ontario.
Dr. Graeme (Stephen) Duncan testified during the trial of Becky Hamber and Brandy Cooney, who are facing first-degree murder charges for the boy they were attempting to adopt. At the time of the appointment on December 13, 2022, L.L. had experienced a significant weight loss of approximately 10 pounds within a year, weighed less than he did at six years old, and had ceased growing.
Although L.L. appeared verbally responsive and polite during the examination, his notable weight loss was a cause for concern. The family physician revealed that Hamber and Cooney had informed him that L.L. was suffering from an eating disorder and vomiting daily. Despite having already initiated a referral to an eating disorder clinic, Duncan was still awaiting a response.
During cross-examination, Monte McGregor, Hamber’s lawyer, pointed out that based on the tests and scans provided to Duncan before the appointment, L.L. was at risk of a cardiac event that could have been fatal due to his severe malnourishment. McGregor highlighted that L.L. had even shrunk in size since his previous checkup with Duncan.
Duncan admitted that he did not follow all the recommended protocols during the checkup, such as inquiring about L.L.’s eating habits, conducting a thorough physical examination, or monitoring his blood pressure in different positions. Despite L.L.’s alarming weight loss, Duncan did not suggest immediate hospitalization or call for an ambulance.
On December 21, 2022, L.L. was discovered in a severely emaciated and unresponsive state in Hamber’s and Cooney’s basement. He was rushed to the hospital but tragically passed away soon after. The exact cause of L.L.’s death could not be definitively determined, with possibilities including hypothermia or cardiac arrest due to severe malnourishment.
Hamber and Cooney were also in the process of adopting L.L.’s younger brother, J.L., under a publication ban. The two boys were transferred from a foster home in Ottawa to the care of the accused women in 2017, remaining under the supervision of the Children’s Aid Society (CAS) of Ottawa.
The trial has shed light on the concerns raised by medical professionals regarding the adoption of the boys by Hamber and Cooney. A letter from Duncan and his health team expressed worries about the couple’s parenting methods, describing them as more harmful than therapeutic. The letter outlined incidents of abusive practices, including forcing the boys to sleep in tents and using zip ties on them.
Witnesses have provided contrasting views on L.L.’s behavior and the care he received. While the Crown argues that the boys were mistreated and neglected by Hamber and Cooney, the defense maintains that the couple faced challenges in managing L.L., who had been diagnosed with various behavioral and mood disorders.
The trial continues, with testimonies highlighting the complex circumstances leading to L.L.’s tragic demise in 2022.