Baby Bella’s Mother Back In Court, Probation Officer Testifies

NASSAU, BAHAMAS -The mother of murdered toddler D’onya “Bella” Walker was abandoned by her parents from infancy, a court heard. 

A social worker today providing Supreme Court Justice Renae McKay with the social history of Ostonya Walker to help her determine an appropriate sentence.

Walker pleaded guilty to exposing her four-year-old daughter to grievous harm and child cruelty in January.  Bella was beaten to death while left in the care of Walker’s live-in boyfriend Darion Smith on November 5. 2021. He pleaded guilty to her murder and was sentenced to 25 years as part of a plea deal.

Walker became a teen mom at age 17 and recently gave birth to her third child while in custody awaiting sentencing.

She has expressed remorse for not being “aware” of what happened to her daughter, the probation officer said.

According to the probation officer, some people described Walker as a “good person”, who was a victim of domestic violence and should not remain in custody.

However, Walker’s  twin sister and Bella’s paternal grandmother felt that she should be punished.

Justice McKay will hear further sentencing submissions next month.