A six-year-old Louisiana girl found dead in a chlorine drum repeatedly cried out about the treatment she received from the stepmother accused of murdering her, a court has been told.
Bella Fontenelle said of her stepmom: Ms Hannah is mean, according to courtroom testimony from her older sister, who is now 9 years old.
Bella was found dead inside a chlorine drum outside her mothers Harahan home in April 2023, just hours after the girls father reported that she and his longtime girlfriend were missing.
Authorities believe that his girlfriend, Bunnak Hannah Landon, 45, strangled and beat the young girl before placing her body in the 10-gallon bucket, dragging it on a wagon for half a mile and leaving it on the front lawn of Bellas mothers home.
The long-awaited murder trial began this week with Landon, who has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, facing a first-degree murder charge and mandatory life sentence if convicted.
Shes not insane, Assistant District Attorney Rachel Africk said to the court on Tuesday, KPLC TV reported. Shes evil.
During the second day of testimony on Wednesday Harahan Police Sgt Michael Barnet took the stand and recounted the morning when Michael Fontenelle, Bellas father, reported his six-year-old daughter missing, Fox 8 Live reported.
At around 7.30am on April 26, 2023 Michael went to the police station to report that one of his daughters was missing, later admitting that his sweetheart, a reference to Landon, was also nowhere to be found.
Bella Fontenelle (pictured), 6, who was found dead inside a chlorine drum in April 2023
Authorities believe that the girlfriend of Bellas father, Bunnak Hannah Landon, 45, strangled and beat the young girl before placing her body in a 10-gallon bucket, dragging it on a wagon for half a mile and leaving it on the front lawn of Bellas mother
The long-awaited murder trial began this week with Landon (pictured) facing a first-degree murder charge and mandatory life sentence if convicted
At the time, Bella was staying with her father at the home he shared with Landon.
Michaels admission sparked a missing person investigation, which included searching the home, the surrounding neighborhood and other areas where children might hide.
We turned the house upside down looking for this little girl, Barnett told the court.
At some point during the search Harahan police pinged Landons phone, which directed them to a nearby street. A white bucket with the girls body was discovered on the property of Bellas mother, less than two blocks away.
I saw little girl. She was deceased, Sgt Jordan Bloomer tearfully said on stand, describing the moment he opened the heavy, bloodied container that held the childs lifeless body, Fox 8 reported.
An autopsy showed that the kindergartener had been murdered with multiple injuries.
Coroner Gerry Cvitanovich has determined the cause of death as manual strangulation with blunt force trauma to the head.
Chilling surveillance footage from the night before showed a woman nonchalantly dragging a wagon with a plastic bucket on it in the direction of the house. The woman in the clip was wearing tall white boots, a red top and black pants.
After she allegedly dumped the body, authorities said Landon entered a police station asking for transport to a local hospital, where she was located the next day.
At around 7.30am on April 26, 2023, Michael Fontenelle, Bellas father, went to the police station to report that one of his daughters was missing, later admitting that his sweetheart, a reference to Landon, was nowhere to be found
At some point during the search Harahan police pinged Landons phone, which directed them to a nearby street. A white bucket with the girls body was discovered at the property of Bellas mother less than two blocks away
An autopsy showed that the kindergartener had been murdered with multiple injuries reported
During Wednesdays testimony multiple witnesses took the stand to describe the treatment Bella received in the home shared with Michael and Landon.
Speaking publicly for the first time about the fateful night two years ago, Bellas sister said Landon would frequently send Bella to time-out for no reason, coldly ignoring the young girls cries of protest.
Bellas sister testified that the night before her sibling was found dead she was awakened by Landon, who told her she was leaving for Florida. By the next morning Bella was gone.
Gladis Zeledon, Bellas maternal grandmother, also took the stand and tearfully recounting through a translator the last time she saw her granddaughter alive.
Echoing Bellas sisters testimony Zeledon told the court that the little girl would often say Ms Hannah is mean and that she didnt love her – remarks that raised concern.
Bellas sister worried for their safety, warning Bella and her grandma not to repeat what was said or theyd be in trouble, Fox 8 reported.
Damning witnesses from the second day of testimony also included two teachers from St Matthew the Apostle School, where Bella was a student in both Pre-K4 and Kindergarten.
Speaking publicly for the first time about the fateful night two years ago during testimonies on Wednesday, Bellas sister said that the six-year-old would often voice that Ms Hannah is mean
Chilling surveillance footage from the night before Bellas body was found showed a woman nonchalantly dragging a wagon with a plastic bucket on it in the direction of the house
On days where she was scheduled to go to her fathers house after school the little girl would have a panic attack and insist she did not want to go, according to Bellas Pre-K4 teacher
Amy Fraizer, Bellas Pre-K4 teacher, told the court that although the six-year-old was a sweet and caring child she was visibly nervous and anxious while inside the classroom.
On days where she was scheduled to go to her fathers house after school, according to Fraizer, Bella would have a panic attack and insist she did not want to go, Fox 8 reported.
She was balled up against the wall, crying, trying to catch her breath, Fraizer said, adding that she documented the incidents in the schools system.
She said “Hannah hurts me”, she continued. I cant get a drink. I have to ask for one. I just want to be with my mom.
Kaitlin May, Bellas Kindergarten teacher, testified that the child had significant emotional and academic struggles and would often come to school crying.
Every day Bella came to school and was sad, May said, according to the Fox 8 report. She cried because she couldnt get to her momma if she was with her dad. It was constant.
Michael, Bellas father, took the stand during testimonies on Tuesday, where he described his past relationships and details of his home life.
Michael told the court that his girlfriend helped care for both Bella and her sister, but admitted that Bella had recently begun expressing fear towards Landon during her therapy sessions, KPLC TV reported.
Michael told the court that his girlfriend helped care for both Bella and her sister, but admitted that Bella had recently begun expressing fear towards Landon during her therapy sessions (pictured: Michael Fontenelle, left, and alleged killer Bunnak Landon, center)
The defense argued that Landons behavior was a result of severe mental illness, though the prosecution believes she knew right from wrong at the time of the killing
Gladis Zeledon, Bellas maternal grandmother, told the court that the little girl would often say that her stepmother did not love her
She said Ms Hannah was mean to her, Michael testified, adding that he confronted Landon about the concerns, which she took nonchalantly.
The defense argued that Landons behavior was a result of severe mental illness, though the prosecution believes she knew right from wrong at the time of the senseless killing.
Zelda Welch, a Jefferson Parish inmate housed with Landon on two separate occasions while in custody, testified on Wednesday that the stepmother was playing the game of insanity, Fox 8 reported.
According to Welch Landon would coach her on how to write letters to the court, encouraging her to cite mental health issues as a strategy to seek early release.
She told me to say what they want to hear, she testified. I feel like Landon was playing on my emotions. She was playing the game of insanity. I would do the same thing.
Landon has already been indicted and formally charged with first-degree murder and obstruction of justice back in August.
The trial continues on Thursday.
