Ontario Foster Mothers Face Murder Trial Over Alleged Torture and Starvation of 12-Year-Old Boy

Closing arguments concluded in late March 2026 in the harrowing trial of Becky Hamber and Brandy Cooney, a Burlington couple accused of the first-degree murder of their 12-year-old foster son, LL.

The boy, who was found unresponsive in the couple's basement in December 2022, was reportedly emaciated and weighed only 48 pounds at the time of his death.

Prosecutors detailed a systematic campaign of "sadistic" abuse that allegedly lasted for years, including forcing the child and his younger brother to wear soaking-wet wetsuits and hockey helmets while performing exercises in freezing temperatures.

Courtroom evidence revealed a disturbing pattern of surveillance and control, including text messages where the women reportedly joked about making the boy shiver while he was wet and cold.

The younger brother, who survived the ordeal, provided emotional testimony regarding the couple's alleged "hatred" for the boys and the extreme punishments used for minor infractions, such as breaking days-long silence mandates.

While the Children's Aid Society (CAS) conducted regular visits to the home, testimony suggested the abuse went undetected because the children were dressed normally and monitored during social worker interactions.

Hamber and Cooney have pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, unlawful confinement, and assault with a weapon, with the defense previously claiming certain measures were intended to prevent self-harm.

The case has sparked nationwide outrage in Canada, fueling intense debates regarding the vetting processes for foster parents and the oversight capabilities of child welfare agencies.

A judicial update on the trial is expected on April 24, 2026, as the community awaits a verdict in what has become one of Ontario’s most notorious child abuse cases.