Additional Coverage:
- Delaware brothers carry 10-year-old sister to bed after dad ‘beat her to death with belt’ (themirror.com)
Delaware State Police have arrested a Smyrna man accused of fatally abusing his 10-year-old daughter and mistreating two other children in his care.
Badara Kone, 49, was taken into custody early Thursday morning after officers responded to a residence on Oakwynn Circle around 2 a.m. on May 28. Upon arrival, police discovered Kone’s daughter, Fatima, deceased in her bedroom. Authorities noted that emergency services were not contacted for an extended period following the incident.
An ongoing homicide investigation by the Delaware State Police reveals that on May 27, Kone allegedly struck Fatima multiple times with a leather belt, an act he described as “discipline.” During the assault, Fatima reportedly fell and hit her head on furniture, sustaining severe injuries. The medical examiner’s autopsy confirmed the cause of death as homicide due to multiple blunt-force trauma.
Fatima’s two brothers, aged 15 and 11, reportedly assisted in carrying her to bed after the assault. Following the discovery, the boys were taken to a local hospital for wellness checks, where evidence was collected indicating continuous physical abuse.
Kone was initially charged with two counts of continuous child abuse and eight counts of fourth-degree child abuse. He was arraigned and held on $17,000 cash bail. On June 1, following forensic confirmation of Fatima’s homicide, he was charged with murder by abuse or neglect and remains in custody on $180,000 cash bail.
Neighbors expressed shock at the tragic news. “I’ve been here for 12 years and we’ve never had anything like this happen before,” said one resident. Another neighbor recalled the family moving in just over a year ago and recently introducing themselves to the community, describing them as seemingly “nice people.”
A vigil to honor Fatima is scheduled for Friday evening as the local community mourns her loss.
Authorities urge anyone who suspects child abuse to contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453, available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.