Couple Who Took In Foster Child, 12, Then Starved Him Until He Died, Locked In a Basement and Weighing 48 Pounds, Learn Fate

A Canadian couple has received life sentences for their involvement in the tragic death of their foster child, a 12-year-old boy who endured horrific conditions while in their care. Becky Hamber, aged 46, and Brandy Cooney, aged 44, have been convicted of first-degree murder and additional charges related to confinement, assault with a weapon, and failing to provide the necessary care for the child.

This week, the pair were handed sentences that require them to spend a minimum of 25 years in prison before they can be considered for parole. The conviction comes following the boy’s death in December 2024, while he was confined to a basement bedroom that had become his prison.

Evidence presented during the trial revealed that the boy had been locked away for as long as 18 hours a day in this inadequate living space. Prosecutors described the tragic circumstances leading to his death, during which the boy reportedly weighed a mere 48 pounds. The first three charges linked to Hamber and Cooney’s actions focused on the events that preceded the child’s untimely demise, while the final charge spotlighted the suffering of the boy’s younger brother, who endured similar abuse during his time under their guardianship.

Now aged 14, the surviving brother took the stand and delivered crucial testimony, which contradicted the accounts provided by Hamber and Cooney. Both women portrayed themselves as loving caregivers facing challenges from boys believed to have severe developmental issues stemming from childhood trauma. Cooney, in her defence, argued that the boy’s extremely low weight was due to his alleged habit of regurgitating food. She also stated that they resorted to using zip ties to keep the children safe from self-harm.

During the trial, Cooney conveyed her perspective, declaring, “There were a lot of injuries over the years,” suggesting that both she and Hamber faced physical aggression from the boys. However, their narrative clashed sharply with that presented by the surviving brother, who painted a starkly different reality of confinement and abuse.

The prosecutors detailed a grim routine where both children were kept locked in their rooms from the evening until noon the following day, removed only occasionally for bathroom breaks. Disturbingly, it was noted that the boys would be forced to exercise under the surveillance of video cameras set up by Hamber and Cooney.

Court documents revealed a chilling text message from Cooney to Hamber dated Christmas Eve, suggesting a callous attitude towards the boys’ welfare. In the message, Cooney sarcastically noted that the children would “have fun figuring out burpees in the shower when they complain about never having food.”

Justice Clayton Conlan, who oversaw the case, expressed significant doubts regarding the credibility of the accused, stating that their testimonies were “replete with contradictions, inconsistencies, and things lacking in basic common sense.”

The testimony from the surviving brother was particularly poignant. He recalled watching his sibling suffer from “severe malnutrition” in the weeks leading up to his death. At one point, he revealed that his brother weighed as little as 43 pounds. Commentary from defence attorneys likened the young boy’s appearance to that of a “Holocaust survivor,” underlining the tragic neglect and extreme conditions he faced.

At the sentencing hearing, the surviving brother spoke alongside family members of the deceased boy. His words resonated with pain and loss when he stated, “I won’t be able to see him, and I won’t be able to talk to him again,” reflecting the deep and lasting impact of the events he witnessed. “Living with Becky and Brandy, I did not like it, and it should have never happened,” he concluded, echoing the sentiments of many who have followed this harrowing case.

As the case comes to a close, it serves as a grave reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by children in foster care and the critical importance of safeguarding their welfare. The story of these two boys should not be forgotten, as their experiences highlight the urgent need for scrutiny and reform in child protection systems.