This article has been updated to include a second suspect that was arrested.
SMYRNA, Del. - The Delaware State Police have charged a Smyrna man and woman for the murder of their 10-year-old daughter and the continuous abuse of his two additional children.
On May 27, 49-year-old Badara Kone hit his daughter, Fatima, several times with a leather belt, according to state police. During the investigation, homicide detectives found that 37-year-old step mother Adiaratou Coulibaly was involved in the circumstances surrounding Fatima’s death.
Police said that while being hit, Fatima fell to the ground and hit her head on a piece of furniture. She was later found dead by police on May 28 after her siblings assisted Fatima to her bedroom. Emergency services were not notified for an extended period of time, according to investigators. Police said that Fatima's siblings were taken to a hospital for precautionary wellness evaluations, where detectives found that they have been continuously physically abused.
Badara Kone, 49, was arrested by Delaware State Police for the murder of his daughter and abuse of his two additional children. (Delaware State Police)
Badara has been charged with two felony counts of continuous child abuse and eight counts of fourth-degree child abuse. Badara is in custody of the Delaware Department of Correction on a $180,000 cash bond.
On June 3, the Delaware Department of Justice authorized charges against Coulibaly. On the morning of June 5, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service’s First State Fugitive Task Force and the New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force, Coulibaly was taken into custody in New York City.
Coulibaly is currently being held by the New York City Department of Correction and, upon being extradited to Delaware, will be charged with Murder by Abuse or Neglect Second Degree (Felony).
State police are continuing the investigation and ask that anyone with relevant information to contact them at 302-741-2729 or to contact Delaware Crime Stoppers.
