In the days leading up to his death, a 12-year-old boy in the care of two Burlington, Ont., women was experiencing “severe malnutrition” and weighed less than he did at age 6.

That’s according to Dr. Emma Cory, a pediatrician called by the Crown on Monday as an expert witness at the trial of Brandy Cooney and Becky Hamber, who’ve pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the proceedings that began last month.

The two were in the process of adopting the boy, known as L.L., and his young brother, referred to in court as J.L. Both boys’ identities are protected under a publication ban.

Cooney and Hamber are also charged with confinement, assault with a weapon — namely zip ties — and failing to provide the necessaries of life to J.L.

The judge-only trial, under Justice Clayton Conlan, i

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