Louisiana Woman Accused Of Killing Boyfriend’s 6-Year-Old Daughter And Leaving Her Body In A Bucket On Biological Mom’s Yard

A Louisiana woman is under arrest after being accused of killing her boyfriend’s 6-year-old daughter and dumping the girl’s body in her biological mom’s yard.

On Thursday, Hannah Landon, 43, will be charged with first-degree murder and obstruction of justice. Police took her into custody at an area hospital, but she was not arraigned. They did not reveal why she was hospitalized.

Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joseph Lopinto said that Landon’s boyfriend reported her and his daughter, Bella Fontanelle, missing around 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning. Investigators say that his other child was still at home and unharmed. 

Officers immediately began investigating and eventually went to Fontanelle’s biological mother’s house, which is not far from the father’s house. That’s where officers discovered the girl’s body inside a bucket on the front lawn. 

Investigators obtained Ring camera footage showing someone they believe to be Landon walking down the street pulling a wagon with a bucket inside. The most chilling scene in the video shows the suspect doesn’t even flinch when a white SUV drives by.

An autopsy determined the child died due to “multiple injuries,” including blunt force trauma and strangulation. Her death was ruled a homicide. 

“I want to add that Bella’s body was intact, and contrary to public speculation, there was no dismemberment of any kind,” Coroner Gerry Cvitanovich said to the outlet. “This is not something we’re happy to do. It’s something that’s hard to see, and it’s even more hard to unsee.”

Neither of Fontanelle’s parents is considered a suspect at this time.

Landon has had a contentious history with the victim’s mother. WDSU reports that Landon was listed as the suspect in a 2021 incident that left the girl’s mother with injuries to her face and hand. However, Landon was granted a temporary restraining order against the woman.

After the girl’s death, Fontanelle’s school canceled classes for the rest of the week. St. Matthew the Apostle school, where the girl was a kindergartner, will have support resources on campus. 

“This is indeed a horrific tragedy that will impact our school and parish community,” the school said in a statement to parents. “Because of the very challenging and sensitive nature of the situation and in order to help our faculty and families in processing this news, we have made the decision to cancel all classes tomorrow, Thursday, April 27, and Friday, April 28. We hope that this will give you parents the opportunity to be with your children.”