Crown probes claim she wasn't warned about boys' troubles at trial

Crown lawyers questioned Becky Hamber about foster‑care notes that reportedly warned one boy had tried to choke the other and about thousands of deleted text messages; Hamber said she is ashamed of those messages. The trial resumes Monday for further cross‑examination.

Becky Hamber is testifying in her defence at a trial over the death of a boy she was seeking to adopt. Crown prosecutors presented notes from an August 2017 teleconference in which a former foster parent reportedly warned of behavioural concerns, including an attempted choking. Hamber has maintained she was not warned before the boys moved into her home and said she does not fully recall all details of that meeting. The court also reviewed thousands of deleted text messages between Hamber and her partner, and Hamber told the court she is deeply ashamed of the language used. Courtroom developments: - Notes from a 2017 teleconference recorded that a former foster parent warned about the older boy's aggression, including an attempted choking and other behavioural incidents. - Hamber testified she did not remember all details of the lengthy meeting and has said she was not warned before the boys moved in. - Thousands of deleted text messages between the women were entered in evidence; the messages contained insulting language about the boys and Hamber said she is deeply ashamed of them. - The trial is ongoing and has been adjourned until Monday, when cross‑examination will continue. Summary: The Crown's questioning focused on whether foster‑care agencies and a former foster parent warned the prospective adoptive parents about behavioural concerns, and on deleted text messages that were critical of the boys. The defence maintains the accused did not recall being warned; the trial will resume Monday for further cross‑examination.