A second suspect has been charged in connection with the child abuse death of a 10-year-old girl in Smyrna, Delaware.
The child’s stepmother, 37-year-old Adiaratou Coulibaly, faces charges of murder by abuse or neglect, police announced Tuesday. Authorities took her into custody Friday in New York City.
Detectives say their investigation revealed that Coulibaly played a direct role in the circumstances leading to Fatima’s death, including subjecting the young girl to severe and prolonged abuse involving various objects and forced exercises.
The girl’s father, 49-year-old Badara Kone, has also been charged with murder, along with allegations that he abused his two other children.
Officers responded to a home on Oakwynn Circle at around 2 a.m. on May 28.
Investigators say 10-year-old Fatima Kone died after allegedly being struck multiple times with a belt before falling and hitting her head on a piece of furniture.
Following the assault, Fatima’s siblings helped her to her bedroom, where she was later found dead.
Officials say 9-1-1 was not called for several hours.
An autopsy classified the death as a homicide caused by multiple blunt-force injuries.
Badara was taken into custody that night and faces charges of second-degree murder by abuse or neglect and fourth-degree child abuse. He remains in the custody of the Delaware Department of Correction on a $180,000 cash bond.
Police say the two other siblings — an 11-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy — also showed signs of abuse.
Coulibaly is currently being held by the New York City Department of Correction as she awaits extradition to Delaware.
Anyone with relevant information about this case or the Kone family is asked to contact Captain J. Laird at (302) 741-2727 or Detective M. Csapo at (302) 741-2729. Tips may also be submitted via private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) 847-3333.
If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime, or has lost a loved one to a sudden death and needs assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit/Delaware Victim Center is available 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at [email protected].