Three months before a severely malnourished, emaciated 12-year-old boy died suddenly in the basement of a home belonging to his prospective adoptive parents, a Children’s Aid Society worker was so concerned about his appearance and “general health” she recommended that his psychiatrist see his face at an upcoming appointment.

It was the last time any Children’s Aid Society representative had direct contact with the boy, who would die in the early evening of Dec. 21, 2022.

The details emerged Friday at the trial of Becky Hamber and Brandy Cooney, a Burlington couple who were trying to adopt the boy and who now stand accused of killing him . The two women have pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder. They’re also charged with failing to provide necessaries of life, unlawful confinement

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