A 12-year-old boy who was severely malnourished and underweight had an annual checkup with his family doctor eight days before he passed away while in the care of two women in Burlington, Ont. Dr. Graeme (Stephen) Duncan testified in court regarding Becky Hamber and Brandy Cooney’s trial, where they have denied the first-degree murder charges related to the boy they were attempting to adopt.
During the checkup on Dec. 13, 2022, the boy, identified as L.L., had lost approximately 10 pounds in a year, weighed less than he did at six years old, and had ceased to grow. Although verbally interactive and polite, his physical examination was concerning due to significant weight loss.
The family physician revealed that Hamber and Cooney had informed him that L.L. had an eating disorder and vomited daily. Duncan had referred L.L. to an eating disorder clinic based on prior tests and scans. Defense lawyer Monte McGregor suggested that L.L. was at risk of a fatal cardiac event due to his condition.
Duncan acknowledged not fully following the Canadian Paediatric Society’s guidelines during the checkup, including not inquiring about L.L.’s eating habits and not conducting certain recommended physical assessments. Despite L.L.’s severe malnutrition indicators, he did not advise immediate medical attention or hospitalization.
On Dec. 21, 2022, L.L. was discovered emaciated and unresponsive in Hamber’s and Cooney’s basement, later passing away in the hospital. The exact cause of his death could not be determined, although hypothermia or cardiac arrest resulting from severe malnourishment were not ruled out.
Hamber and Cooney were also in the process of adopting L.L.’s younger brother, J.L., who remains under the care of the Children’s Aid Society (CAS) of Ottawa as the adoption was not finalized before L.L.’s tragic demise. The Halton CAS was responsible for overseeing the boys’ daily welfare.
Various professionals, including teachers, police, and therapists, had expressed concerns about the boys’ treatment, but they were not removed from the home. The defense argued that L.L. had behavioral issues and health conditions that made him challenging to manage, implying the women did their best with limited support.
The ongoing trial, presided over by Justice Clayton Conlan, is expected to extend into December. If you are affected by the content of this report, mental health support resources can be found through provincial or territorial services.
