Stepmother Arrested in Murder of 10-Year-Old Smyrna Girl

State of DE - Delaware State Police have made an arrest in the murder of 10-year-old Fatima Kone, and her stepmother is now in custody.

Investigators say 37-year-old Adiaratou Coulibaly of Smyrna, Delaware, was involved in the circumstances surrounding Fatima's death. Detectives determined that after an incident involving Fatima's father, Badara Kone, the abuse continued in other areas of the home - carried out by Coulibaly.

According to investigators, Coulibaly subjected Fatima to severe and prolonged abuse using various objects and forced exercises.

On June 3, 2026, the Delaware Department of Justice authorized charges against Coulibaly. A warrant was approved, and two days later, law enforcement moved in.

On the morning of June 5, 2026, Coulibaly was taken into custody in New York City. The arrest was made with assistance from the United States Marshals Service's First State Fugitive Task Force and the New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force.

Coulibaly is currently being held by the New York City Department of Correction. Once extradited to Delaware, she will face a charge of Murder by Abuse or Neglect in the Second Degree, which is a felony.

The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit says its investigation is ongoing, and detectives are asking for the public's help.

Anyone with 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 can also be submitted by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) 847-3333.

Disclosure: All individuals mentioned in this article are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Eastern Shore Undercover® does not express or imply any opinion regarding the incident reported.