March 1, 2024 — Halton Regional Police Service
The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) has made two arrests following a lengthy investigation into the death of a child.
On December 21, 2022, at 7:26 p.m., the HRPS and other emergency services were called to a residence in Burlington in response to a child without vital signs. Tragically, police located a deceased 12-year-old male in the home.
Investigators from the HRPS Child Abuse and Sexual Assault Unit (CASA) immediately commenced an investigation. On February 29, 2024, the prospective adoptive parents of the deceased boy were arrested.
Becky Hamber (44 years) of Burlington and Brandy Cooney (42 years) of Hamilton have both been charged with First Degree Murder, and Failure to Provide the Necessaries of Life.
Both of the accused were held for a bail hearing on March 1.
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, Fail to Provide the Necessaries of Life, and Criminal Negligence Cause Bodily Harm following an investigation in relation to the younger sibling.
