By Gerrino J. Saunders
Journal Staff Writer

The Court of Appeal has rejected a bid by Darion Smith, 37, who was
convicted in the murder of his live-in girlfriend’s four-year-old
daughter D’onya Bella Walker.
Smith was found guilty of beating Baby Bella to death on November 5 th
in 2021.
He was sentenced to 25-years in January 2023 by Justice Renae
McKay after entering a plea deal where he pleaded guilty.
Bella’s mother Ostonya Walker left her in the care of Smith while she
went to work.
It was during this time Bella became unresponsive and Smith called
emergency medical services who rushed her to hospital where she was
declared dead.
An autopsy later revealed that Bella had old bruises as well as fresh
injuries about the body.
Smith, who has already served two years of his sentence, appeared in
the Court of Appeal on January 29 versus the Department of Public
Prosecutions in an attempt to have his sentence reduced.

However, newly instated Court of Appeal President Justice Milton
Evans said that Smith agreed to the sentence that he received when he
signed the plea agreement. Therefore, there was no basis for the court
to reopen the matter.
If his case had gone to trial Smith would have faced 30-60 years in
prison.
Bella’s death caused tremendous outrage in the country with many
calling for greater protections for children.
Attorneys James Thompson and Timothy Bailey represented Smith.
Bella’s mother was sentenced to three years after she pleaded guilty to
exposing a child to grievous harm and child cruelty.
Prosecutors had asked the court for a five year sentence for claiming
Walker did not show any remorse for the role she played in her child’s
death.
Last month while speaking at the first National Forum on the Primary
Prevention of Violence in The Bahamas at Baha Mar Prime Minister
Philip Davis lamented the sharp increase in child abuse cases reported
in 2024.
He revealed there were 583 children reportedly victims of abuse. He
said the government is working to strengthen family structures,
describing a stable home as one of the most powerful tools in
preventing violence.