Photo: Halton Police
Two people have been charged with first degree murder following the 2022 death of a child.
On Wednesday, December 21st, at 7:26 p.m., the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) and other emergency services were called to a residence in Burlington in response to a child without vital signs. Police located a dead 12-year-old boy in the home.
Investigators from the HRPS Child Abuse and Sexual Assault Unit (CASA) immediately commenced an investigation. On Thursday, February 29th, 2024, the prospective adoptive parents of the dead child were arrested.
44-year-old Becky Hamber of Burlington and 42-year-old Brandy Cooney of Hamilton have both been charged with:
- First Degree Murder
- Failure to Provide the Necessaries of Life
Both of the accused were held for a bail hearing on Friday, March 1st.
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, following an investigation in relation to the younger sibling, both accused were charged with:
- Assault
- Assault with a Weapon
- Forcible Confinement
- Fail to Provide the Necessaries of Life and Criminal Negligence Cause Bodily Harm
