Witnessing his 12-year-old brother's tragic death in a basement at the age of 10, now testifying against their mothers in a murder trial.

Two Canadian women, Becky Hamber, 45, and Brandy Cooney, 43, are facing trial for the death of a 12-year-old boy they had intended to adopt in 2022. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder.

The boy reportedly died while confined in a basement, discovered wet on the floor weighing only 48 pounds, according to court testimony. The prosecutions main witness is the victims younger brother, who was just 10 when he witnessed the tragic events.

The court heard that the 10-year-old observed his brother suffering from extreme malnutrition leading up to his death on December 21, 2022. Police reports indicate he first spoke to authorities the day after the funeral, describing repeated punishments imposed by Hamber and Cooney, including restraint with zip ties, confinement in basement rooms, and being forced to sleep in wetsuits.

The boy recounted to the Halton Regional Police Service: "Yesterday I saw my sibling hes dead. Hes the first dead body Ive ever seen in real life," adding that he vomited multiple times before the interview due to extreme anxiety.

Hamber and Cooney were arrested later that month and charged with assault, unlawful confinement, and criminal negligence causing bodily harm. A subsequent interview in September 2023 revealed additional details of the alleged abuse, during which the boy became emotional, explaining how his brother often took the blame to protect him.

In court, the boy testified about punishments such as being forbidden to speak for days. Pediatrician Dr. Emma Cory, testifying as an expert for the prosecution, stated the victim weighed only 48 pounds at the time of deathless than his weight at age six. The defense acknowledged that the boy appeared extremely emaciated, with one lawyer comparing his condition to that of a Holocaust survivor.

The boy also reported that at one point, his brothers weight had dropped to as low as 43 pounds. A therapist who had worked with the couple previously testified that she had objected to their methods years before the childs death, noting instances where the boy was restrained in pajamas and wetsuits that prevented him from using the bathroom. She refuted claims from the defense suggesting she had condoned such punishments. Her notes also revealed the victims wish for "a forever family for Christmas" shortly before his death.

Hamber and Cooney maintain their plea of not guilty to first-degree murder as the trial continues.

Author: Grace Ellison