A horrific murder trial over the death of a 12-year-old boy has turned a spotlight on the role of Ontario child care agencies, with the defence arguing that the authorities entrusted with the care and safety of vulnerable children failed to warn Brandy Cooney and Becky Hamber about their prospective sons’ histories of serious behavioural and developmental issues.

During cross-examination of the Crown’s witnesses, defence lawyer Monte MacGregor suggested the Children’s Aid societies of Ottawa and Halton concealed essential information from Cooney and Hamber, who were seeking to adopt two Indigenous brothers, aged five and six. The boys moved into their Burlington home in October 2017.

On Dec. 21, 2022, emergency responders were called there and discovered the emaciated, soaking wet older

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