"In 2022, I don't think I ever ate [outside] of my room, the boy said Thursday, his second day in the witness box at the murder trial in Milton Superior Court. He added that during his five years living with Brandy Cooney and Becky Hamber, they stopped him from going outside to play, took him out of regular school so he could be taught at home, and eventually stopped giving him school work to do."
"The judge-alone trial which began in mid-September has heard 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. He died shortly after in hospital."
"He said he would be locked in his room for hours at a time and rarely saw his big brother. J.L., as he's referred to for our coverage of this trial since the Indigenous boys' identities are protected under a standard publication ban, is now 13. Called by the Crown, he again testified by video from a separate room in the courthouse."
A now-deceased 12-year-old, L.L., was found unresponsive, soaking wet and locked in a basement bedroom; he was severely malnourished and died shortly after in hospital. His younger brother, now 13, testified that both boys lived increasingly isolated lives, were removed from regular school, restricted from going outside, often locked in rooms, and were eventually given no schoolwork. Brandy Cooney and Becky Hamber, who were attempting to adopt the boys, have pleaded not guilty to murder and related charges. The Crown alleges hateful abuse and neglect, while defence lawyers say the couple tried to care for high-needs children with little support.
Read at www.cbc.ca
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