By FARRAH JOHNSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
fjohnson@tribunemedia.net
THE mother of D’onya Bella Walker will appear before the Supreme Court for an emergency bail hearing today.
This comes a day after her own mother’s first appearance before a judge in an impending legal battle for the custody of the little girl’s remains.
Police said the four-year-old died from blunt force trauma after sustaining several injuries to her body on November 5.
The child’s mother, Ostonya Walker, has been charged with child cruelty and exposing a child to grevious harm, while the woman’s reported boyfriend, Darion Smith, was charged with the murder of Bella.
They were both denied bail at their arraignment earlier this month and although Walker’s bail application was scheduled to be heard yesterday afternoon, an issue at the Department of Public Prosecution’s office led to the matter being adjourned.
As a result, Walker’s bail application will be heard in the Supreme Court today.
Bella’s death has sparked a disagreement between her paternal and maternal relatives as it relates to who has the right to bury the four-year-old.
Attorney Bjorn Ferguson, who is representing grandmother Monalisa Walker, has said the murdered toddler’s body was removed from the morgue and taken to a funeral home without the consent of anyone who has legal custody of her remains.
In a letter dated November 25, he also said Bella’s mother had sole custody of the child and by virtue of the fact that she had been remanded, had given that authority to her mother, Monalisa Walker, to deal with the burial arrangement while the situation played out.
Mr Ferguson and Monalisa Walker, as well as Maria Daxon, who represents Bella’s paternal family, appeared before Justice Loren Klein yesterday.
When the press was allowed into the courtroom, the judge said while the case sparked much “public interest”, the matter that would be heard before him contained “sensitive details” and “personal allegations” that if reported prematurely, could potentially prejudice the upcoming criminal proceedings.
He said in view of this fact, he would exercise his discretion and excuse the media from reporting the hearing.
Nevertheless, Justice Klein said his ruling will be delivered in open court when the time comes.
Commenting has been disabled for this item.