A 10-year-old Delaware girl died after what authorities describe as months of severe physical abuse at the hands of her father and stepmother, with her own brothers forced to help carry her to bed following a fatal beating, according to Delaware State Police.
Fatima Kone was killed on May 28 at the family's home in Smyrna, Delaware. Her father, Badara Kone, allegedly beat her so severely with a leather belt that she fell and fatally struck her head on furniture, police said. Her stepmother, Adiaratou Coulibaly, has now also been charged in connection with the child's death.
Background
The tragedy unfolded on May 28 when officers responded to a home on Oakwynn Circle and discovered Fatima dead in her bedroom shortly after 2 a.m. A preliminary investigation revealed that the day prior, on May 27, Badara Kone struck Fatima "numerous times with a leather belt, as self-described discipline," according to a Delaware State Police press release.
"While being struck, the child fell to the ground and is believed to have hit her head on a piece of furniture," DSP officials stated. Following the assault, Fatima's two brothers—ages 15 and 11—helped carry their dying sister to her bedroom, police said. She was later found deceased, but authorities noted that 9-1-1 was not called for an extended period of time.
The abuse came to light when the brothers were taken to a nearby hospital for precautionary wellness checks, where investigators say evidence of ongoing physical abuse against all three children was uncovered. A medical examiner who performed Fatima's autopsy classified her death as a homicide caused by multiple blunt-force injuries.
The Investigation
Delaware State Police homicide detectives have been investigating the circumstances surrounding Fatima's death since May 28. During the investigation, they found that Coulibaly was involved in abuse of the child separate from Badara Kone's actions.
"It was revealed that after the incident with Fatima's father, Badara Kone, the abuse continued in other areas of the home, carried out by Coulibaly," DSP officials stated. "Coulibaly subjected Fatima to severe and prolonged abuse using various objects and forced exercises."
Badara Kone was arrested the same day for what authorities described as child abuse involving his sons and connection to Fatima's death. He remains in custody on a $180,000 cash bond following an initial court appearance.
Coulibaly was apprehended by law enforcement and is currently being held by the New York City Department of Correction. She is awaiting extradition to Delaware to face charges.
Key Takeaways
- Badara Kone faces two felony counts of continuous child abuse, eight counts of fourth-degree child abuse, and murder in connection with his daughter's death
- Adiaratou Coulibaly has been charged with second-degree murder by abuse or neglect and is being held in New York pending extradition to Delaware
- Fatima's two brothers, ages 15 and 11, helped carry her to bed after the alleged fatal beating and were later taken for wellness checks that revealed ongoing abuse of all three children
- A medical examiner classified Fatima's death as homicide caused by multiple blunt-force injuries
- Police say both suspects engaged in prolonged physical abuse using various objects and forced exercises against the child over an extended period
What's Next
Coulibaly is expected to be extradited from New York to Delaware to face formal charges. Her initial court appearance in Delaware will determine whether she remains in custody pending trial. Badara Kone also remains held on his $180,000 bond as his case proceeds through the Delaware court system.
DSP officials have indicated that the investigation into the circumstances surrounding Fatima's death and the alleged abuse of her siblings remains active. Authorities continue to work with child welfare agencies regarding the welfare of the surviving brothers.