GALENA, Ill. - Donnisha Hill's mother said she tried to keep her daughter from coming into contact with David Damm after she became suspicious Damm had sexually abused her.

Damm, 60 and of Waterloo, is charged with murder, conspiracy and kidnapping in Donnisha's October 2006 death, and prosecutors said Damm hired a friend to kill the 13-year-old girl to keep her from testifying about sexual abuse.

Donnisha's mother, Leneaka Johnson, was on the witness stand for most of Monday as Damm's trial began in Galena.

Johnson told jurors she first became suspicious Oct. 11, 2006, when Donnisha said she was leaving to play at a friend's house. A short time later that friend called asking to come over to play with Donnisha.

Johnson called relatives and phoned the police in an effort to track down her daughter. Donnisha's father, Adonnis Hill, located her a few blocks away getting out of Damm's van.

After claiming she was sexually assaulted by a stranger, Donnisha later told her mother Damm had abused her and handed her a paper towel that allegedly contained Damm's semen.

Later that month, Donnisha sneaked out of the house when she was supposed to be in her room, and her father found her skating on Independence Avenue not far from the used-car dealership where Damm worked.

Johnson testified she went to school officials to change her school bus route so she could see the bus stop from her own front door. She also asked a police officer and a family member to have talks with Donnisha.

She said she wanted her daughter to hear from someone else - and not just "mean old mom" - that it was a serious matter.

During cross examination, the defense showed Johnson a drawing of a deer with the name "Dave" written large. There was a second piece of paper with the name "Dave" surrounded by diagonal lines.

Johnson said both works appeared to have been drawn by Donnisha.

Donnisha's sister, Vonnisha Hill, 11, recounted an incident when they were playing outside in the late summer of 2006.

Vonnisha told Donnisha she was going to tell Damm that Donnisha had a crush on him. Donnisha told her to go ahead.

Damm responded "Oh, really," according to Vonnisha's account.

A neighbor girl, Whitney Wise, testified she saw Donnisha go into Damm's house with Damm before school one day in September or October 2006.

When she inquired, Donnisha told her not to tell anyone, because she would get in trouble. Whitney said Donnisha told her the meeting involved buying a car.

Contact Jeff Reinitz at (319) 291-1578 or jeff.reinitz@wcfcourier.com.