PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A second person has been charged in the alleged child abuse death of a 10-year-old girl in Smyrna, Delaware. Delaware State Police announced charges against the girl’s stepmother on Tuesday.
Adiaratou Coulibaly, 37, was arrested in New York City on a charge of murder by abuse or neglect.
Delaware State Police said Coulibaly participated in the abuse of 10-year-old Fatima Kone. Last week, the girl’s father, Badara Kone, was charged in connection with her death.
Fatima was found dead in her bedroom at her family home on Oakwynn Circle on May 28.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that on May 27, Badara Kone struck Fatima numerous times with a leather belt, as self-described discipline, causing serious physical injury,” said Delaware State Police Master Cpl. Lewis Briggs. “While being struck, Fatima fell to the ground, [and] is believed to [have] hit her head on a piece of furniture.”
Her two brothers helped her into her bedroom, police said. She was found dead around 2 a.m.
During their investigation, police discovered Coulibaly continued the abuse after the initial beating, subjecting Fatima to “severe and prolonged abuse using various objects and forced exercise.”
She was arrested on June 5 in New York and is awaiting extradition to Delaware.
In addition to murder, Kone is charged with multiple counts of child abuse involving Fatima’s 11- and 15-year-old brothers.
Girl’s father and stepmother both charged in connection with her death
Girl’s father and stepmother both charged in connection with her death
