Lawsuit by family of boy who died in Ontario couple's care claims doctors wrongly' prescribed him medications | CBC News

"A 12-year-old boy who died while in the care of two Ontario women was wrongly and excessively prescribed medications by several doctors who didn't assess him in person, according to a lawsuit filed by his biological family. His younger brother experienced the same overprescribing while living with Becky Hamber and Brandy Cooney in Burlington, the statement of claim alleges. The doctors clearly breached their professional duties, it says."

"Their negligent actions, particularly in their prescribing practices, directly contributed to the harm suffered by the children and ultimately to [the boy's] death. The lawsuit, which alleges negligence and seeks over $4 million in damages, is separate from the Milton Superior Court criminal trial for Cooney and Hamber, who've pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder of the older boy, and charges of confinement, assault with a weapon and failing to provide the necessaries of life to his brother."

"The civil lawsuit was filed in Ottawa Superior Court in December 2024 on behalf of J.L., the estate of L.L. and the boys' birth mother. The defendants are Hamber and Cooney, the Halton and Ottawa Children's Aid Societies (CAS), psychiatrists Dr. Shelinderjit Dhaliwal and Dr. Paul Singleton, family physician Dr. Graeme Duncan, and Jane Doe and John Doe as placeholders if more need to be added."

A civil lawsuit filed in Ottawa Superior Court in December 2024 alleges multiple doctors wrongly and excessively prescribed medications to a 12-year-old boy who later died and to his younger brother while the boys lived with Becky Hamber and Brandy Cooney in Burlington. The claim alleges the doctors did not assess the child in person and breached professional duties, and that negligent prescribing contributed to harm and the older boy's death. Plaintiffs seek more than $4 million in damages on behalf of J.L., the estate of L.L. and the boys' birth mother. Defendants include Hamber, Cooney, Halton and Ottawa Children’s Aid Societies, psychiatrists Dr. Shelinderjit Dhaliwal and Dr. Paul Singleton, and family physician Dr. Graeme Duncan. Criminal charges against Cooney and Hamber proceed separately in Milton Superior Court, where they have pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and related charges. The boys' identities are protected under a publication ban.

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