Prospective adoptive parents charged with first-degree murder of child in Burlington

Two women have been charged with first-degree murder in the death of a 12-year-old boy in Burlington and for allegedly assaulting and confining a younger brother, both of whom they were in the process of adopting.

In a news release Friday, Halton police said the charges were laid following a “lengthy investigation” into the death of the boy, who has been described as Indigenous, more than a year ago.

Const. Ryan Anderson said that on Dec. 21, 2022, at around 7:26 p.m., police and other emergency services were called to a home in the New Street and Guelph Line area for a child without vital signs.

Police said they found a 12-year-old boy dead inside the home.

Police would not answer questions about cause of death, or when the death was deemed a homicide, because the case is before the courts.

Investigators from the Halton police child abuse and sexual assault unit began an investigation and, on Feb. 29, 2024, two women, the prospective adoptive parents of the boy, were arrested, said Anderson.

In a press release, police named the two accused as Becky Hamber, 44, of Burlington and Brandy Cooney, 42, of Hamilton. Police said they have both been charged with first-degree murder and failure to provide the necessaries of life.

Police said both accused were also the prospective adoptive parents to a younger sibling of the boy who also lived in the home at the time.

In January 2023, both accused were charged with assault, assault with a weapon, forcible confinement, failing to provide the necessaries of life and criminal negligence causing bodily harm following an investigation in relation to the younger sibling.

Anderson confirmed that the women had been released on bail following the first set of charges, before being arrested again on the murder charges on Thursday, Feb. 29.

An online fundraiser organized by a woman who identified herself as a neighbour of the two women was set up a week after the boy’s death. It says $1,595 was raised, but the organizer has disabled donations.

In the GoFundMe, the pair are described as “compassionate, kind women who have gone through unbelievable heartbreak and difficulties recently.”

It claims their son died “from physical and mental-health issues that have followed him from his earlier years in foster care.”

“Brandy and Becky started the process of adopting the two brothers five years ago, during which time they have fought tirelessly for mental-health assistance for both boys, although it was not always made available to them,” it says.

Another GoFundMe from earlier in 2022 appears to have been created by Cooney for her wife, Hamber. It has raised nearly $2,600 with a listed goal of $25,000.

Cooney describes her wife’s health as having “declined, leaving her unable to do even the smallest things such as gardening.” The post claims Hamber was diagnosed with “chronic spontaneous urticaria” which involves chronic hives. She said Hamber is unable to work and can only be outdoors minimally.

Hamber was on three different medications that cost the family $1,200 a month, the post claims, adding that without “20 pills a day” she could die.

“For those that don’t know our family, we have two kids with high needs,” Cooney wrote. “We adopted them and later found out they have significant trauma needs from abuse and neglect.”

In a statement Friday, the Halton Children’s Aid Society (CAS) acknowledged the 12-year-old boy, who they said was Indigenous, was in their care when he died.

“Upon learning of the death of an Indigenous child in our care on Dec. 21, 2022, our organization was devastated,” said Halton CAS executive director Janice Robinson.

“Nothing is more important to the board of directors, leadership, and staff of the Halton CAS than the safety and well-being of the children, youth and families with whom we work.”

Robinson said Halton CAS conducted an internal review and engaged an independent third-party reviewer to look into child safety and adherence to standards.

She said her organization is committed to learning everything they can about what happened and is co-operating fully with the ongoing Halton police investigation.

Robinson said Halton CAS cannot comment further as the matter is before the courts.

“Our profound thoughts and condolences continue to be with the family and the Indigenous community,” she said.

Both women briefly appeared in court in Milton Friday morning and remain in custody. The case returns to court March 11.