Missing disabled girl's stepmother in court

LOS ANGELES - Zahra Baker's American stepmother has appeared in a North Carolina court with her hands and legs shackled as a harrowing photograph emerged of the missing 10-year-old Australian disabled girl with what appears to be a black eye.

The photo, taken on a mobile phone by Baker family friend Brandy Stapleton on August 9, appears to show Zahra with a bruise under her right eye.

Stapleton told US TV show Good Morning America she took the photograph to cheer Zahra up because the little cancer survivor seemed down at the time, but Zahra's stepmother, Elisa Baker, told her not to take the picture.

Elisa Baker and Zahra's Australian father, Adam, remain suspects in the disappearance of the girl, who had her lower left leg amputated five years ago after a battle with bone cancer. The cancer also resulted in Zahra needing hearing aids.

Hardened US law enforcement officers have been emotionally struck by the girl's disappearance.

"I think the images you see, the smile, a handicapped girl that age, is just emotionally upsetting," District Attorney Jay Gaither said.

Elisa Baker, 42, appeared briefly in the court in Catawba County where she faced an obstruction of justice charge for writing a fake ransom note demanding US$1 million ($1.3 million). The note was found on a car windscreen at the family's home at the weekend, before Zahra was reported missing.

When Judge Gregory Hayes asked Baker if she understood the charge against her and if she had any questions for him, she replied in quiet "yes" and "no" answers.

Mystery continues to surround Zahra's disappearance, with police investigators announcing on Wednesday they believed the young girl had been murdered.

- AAP