Two charged with first-degree murder after 2022 death of Indigenous child in Burlington
Published March 1, 2024 at 10:39 am
More than 14 months after a 12-year-old child was found dead in a Burlington home, the prospective adoptive parents have been charged with first degree murder.
Halton police laid the charges yesterday following the lengthy investigation.
On Dec. 21, 2022, police and other emergency services were called to a residence in Burlington in response to a child without vital signs. Police located a deceased 12-year-old boy in the home.
Investigators from the HRPS Child Abuse and Sexual Assault Unit (CASA) immediately commenced an investigation. Yesterday, Feb. 29, the prospective adoptive parents of the deceased boy were arrested.
Becky Hamber, 44, of Burlington, and Brandy Cooney, 42, of Hamilton, have both been charged with first-degree murder and failure to provide the necessities of life.
Both of the accused were held for a bail hearing today.
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Both accused were also the prospective adoptive parents to a younger sibling of the deceased child who also lived in the home in December 2022.
In January 2023, both accused were charged with assault, assault with a weapon, forcible confinement, failure to provide the necessities of life, and criminal negligence causing bodily harm following an investigation in relation to the younger sibling.
The Halton Children’s Aid Society confirmed the victims were Indigenous and in the organization’s care.
“Upon learning of the death of an Indigenous child in our care on December 21, 2022, our organization was devastated. Nothing is more important to the Board of Directors, leadership, and staff of the Halton Children’s Aid Society (Halton CAS) than the safety and well-being of the children, youth and families with whom we work,” said Janice Robinson, HCAS’s Executive Director in a news release.
“We immediately conducted an internal review and we engaged an independent third-party reviewer to examine child safety and adherence to standards. We have been absolutely committed to learning everything we can about what happened in this case.
“We are cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation by Halton Regional Police Service. We have been informed that there have been further charges brought against the prospective adoptive parents and, given this matter is now before the courts, we cannot comment further.
“Our profound thoughts and condolences continue to be with the family and the Indigenous community. We want to reiterate that our priority is always the safety and well-being of the children in our care, and we will continue to do everything in our power to ensure that they are protected and supported.”
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