A 49-year-old man in Delaware has been charged with murder after police say he beat his daughter so severely that she died from head injuries. The incident occurred at the family's home in Smyrna.
Badara Kone struck his 10-year-old daughter Fatima multiple times with a leather belt on May 27, according to Delaware State Police. The girl fell during the assault and hit her head on a piece of furniture, leading to her death the following day. Her two brothers, aged 15 and 11, helped Fatima to her bedroom after the attack. Authorities were not called until hours later, and she was found dead shortly after 2 a.m. on May 28. An autopsy ruled the death a homicide caused by multiple blunt-force injuries. Police also found evidence of ongoing physical abuse against Fatima and her brothers. Kone was arrested on May 28 and faces charges including murder, two counts of continuous child abuse, and eight counts of fourth-degree child abuse. He remained in custody on a $180,000 bond as of June 2.