Delaware Crime News: Father faces multiple charges in daughter’s killing and abuse of two sons

Delaware Crime News: A Delaware man was arrested for murdering his daughter and the continuous child abuse of two additional children. The accused, identified as 49-year-old Badara Kone of Smyrna, was arrested by the Delaware State Police for the murder of his 10-year-old daughter, Fatima Kone.

In a press release, the police department stated that troopers responded to a residence on Oakwynn Circle in Smyrna on May 28, 2026, at approximately 2:00 AM, where Fatima Kone was found deceased in her bedroom. During the initial investigation, responding troopers requested assistance from the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit.

Badara Kone faces multiple child abuse charges

On May 28, 2026, police confirmed that Badara was taken into custody at Troop 2, where he was charged with multiple offenses related to the abuse of male children. Charges include two felony counts of Continuous Child Abuse Intentionally/Recklessly Engaging in three or more acts, along with eight counts of Fourth‑Degree Child Abuse. He was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 3 and committed to the Delaware Department of Correction on a $17,000 cash bond.

What did preliminary investigation reveal?

According to the Delaware Police release, the preliminary investigation revealed that on May 27, 2026, Badara struck Fatima numerous times with a leather belt, as self-described discipline, causing serious physical injury.

While being struck, the child fell to the ground and is believed to have hit her head on a piece of furniture. Following the assault, her siblings in the home assisted the victim to her bedroom. She was later found deceased, but 9-1-1 was not notified for an extended period of time, the release added.

During the investigation, the two male siblings, a 15-year-old and an 11-year-old, were transported to an area hospital for precautionary wellness evaluations. There, detectives obtained evidence supporting the fact that the children had been continuously physically abused.

Badara Kone faces additional charge

Officials reported that Fatima’s body was turned over to the Delaware Division of Forensic Science. An autopsy determined her death to be a homicide caused by multiple blunt-force injuries.

On June 1, 2026, the Delaware Department of Justice authorized a new charge against 49‑year‑old Badara Kone for the murder of Fatima. A warrant was approved, and Kone was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2. He remains in custody at the Delaware Department of Correction on a $180,000 cash bond, facing one felony count of murder by abuse or neglect in the Second Degree.

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