"But full transparency from the CAS is very unlikely, said Irwin Elman, who was in the independent watchdog role from 2008 until the Ford government closed his office in 2019. "The child protection system is a closed system," said Elman, who's not involved in the trial but has been closely following it. "Secrecy is the number one rule don't talk, don't tell.""
"Brandy Cooney and Becky Hamber have pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder of the boy, as well as not guilty to confinement, assault with a weapon zip ties and failing to provide the necessaries of life to his younger brother. Their trial, which began in mid-September in Milton Superior Court, continues today after Cooney wrapped up her testimony in mid-December before the holiday break. Hamber is expected to be called as the defence's last witness."
Two women face trial accused of killing a 12-year-old boy they were trying to adopt and face related charges including confinement, assault with a weapon and failing to provide necessaries of life. The women have pleaded not guilty. The Indigenous brothers were moved from Ottawa to Burlington in 2017 and remained wards of Ottawa CAS, while Halton CAS supervised the household daily until the older boy's death and the younger brother's removal in December 2022. First responders found the 12-year-old emaciated and unresponsive; he died in hospital that night. Former child advocate Irwin Elman says the child protection system operates with secrecy, limiting transparency.
Read at www.cbc.ca
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