25-year jail term for killing girlfriend’s 4-year-old girl

Bella Walker murder victim
Bella Walker was murdered on November 5

NASSAU – A man who beat and murdered his live-in girlfriend’s four-year-old daughter at their apartment has been sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Darion Smith pleaded guilty to the November 5, 2021 murder of D’onya “Bella” Walker when he appeared before Justice Renae McKay on January 16.

He would have faced a sentence in the range of 30 to 60 years if convicted following a trial.

With time off for good behaviour, Smith could serve 17 years.

Bella died hours after Smith made an emergency call reporting that the girl was not breathing.

Bella had been left in Smith’s care by her mother while she was at work.

An autopsy determined that Bella had suffered multiple traumatic injuries.