Delaware Man Charged With Murder, Child Abuse Following Death of 10-Year-Old Daughter

Badara Kone, 49, of Smyrna, was arrested on May 28 after his 10-year-old daughter was found dead in her bedroom, officials said.

Audrey Simons

Published: 6/3/2026, 4:01:03 PM EDT

Delaware Man Charged With Murder, Child Abuse Following Death of 10-Year-Old Daughter — Police tape on a blocked off road in a file image. (Bryan R. Smith/AFP via Getty Images)

A Delaware man has been charged with murder and child abuse after his 10-year-old daughter was found dead in her bedroom last week, authorities said.

Badara Kone, 49, was taken into custody on May 28 after troopers discovered the body of his daughter, Fatima, while responding to a residence on Oakwynn Circle in Smyrna, the Delaware State Police shared in a press release Tuesday.

Officials said that during the preliminary investigation, detectives determined that Kone had struck his daughter multiple times on May 27 with a leather belt "as self-described discipline."

"While being struck, the child fell to the ground and is believed to have hit her head on a piece of furniture," police said. "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 girl's brothers, ages 15 and 11, were taken to a local hospital for evaluation, where officials said evidence was collected indicating the children had suffered ongoing physical abuse.

Kone was subsequently charged with two felony counts of intentionally or recklessly engaging in three or more acts of continuous child abuse, as well as eight counts of fourth-degree child abuse. He was arraigned and held on a $17,000 bond.

Following an autopsy, the Delaware Division of Forensic Science ruled Fatima's death a homicide caused by multiple blunt-force injuries.

On Monday, the Delaware Department of Justice authorized additional charges related to her death, and Kone was charged with second-degree murder by abuse or neglect. He was arraigned and remains in custody at the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in Wilmington on a $180,000 bond.

Speaking with ABC 6 Action News, a local neighbor, Larry Borgman, said the Kone family had only moved into the residence about a year ago.

"We were very surprised," Borgman told the station. "The family had about a week before had come by to introduce themselves. They seemed like nice people."

Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing, and detectives have asked anyone with information about the case or the Kone family to contact Captain J. Laird at (302) 741-2727 or Detective M. Csapo at (302) 741-2729. Tips may also be submitted through the Delaware Crime Stoppers hotline at (800) 847-3333 or by sending a private message to the Delaware State Police's official Facebook page.

Officials have also urged other victims or witnesses of a crime to contact the Delaware State Police's Victim Services Unit/Delaware Victim Center at 1-800-842-8461 or email [email protected].