Father charged with killing his 10-year-old daughter, abusing 2 other children in Smyrna, Del.

SMYRNA, Del. (WPVI) -- Delaware State Police have arrested a man for the murder of his 10-year-old daughter and the abuse of two of his other children.

Badara Kone, 49, was taken into custody on Thursday after police responded to a home on Oakwynn Circle in Smyrna around 2 a.m.

Investigators said in a news release issued Tuesday that Kone allegedly struck his daughter, Fatima Kone, a number of times with a belt, causing her to fall and hit her head on a piece of furniture.

Fatima's brothers then helped her to her bedroom, where she was later found dead. Officials say 9-1-1 was not called for several hours.

Police say the two sons, an 11-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy, also showed signs of abuse.

Neighbors expressed shock at the allegations.

"I've been here for 12 years and we've never had anything like this happen before," said neighbor Krista. "Just disbelief that that was happening on our street."

Another neighbor, Larry Borgman, said the family had moved into the home a little over a year ago and had just introduced themselves to residents in May.

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

The case has unsettled the neighborhood, with some residents voicing concern for their own families.

"Raising two little kids here, it's just concerning that somebody like that is in that close of proximity and doing that to their kids," Krista said.

Kone has been charged with second-degree murder by abuse or neglect, and fourth-degree child abuse. He is being held on $170,000 bail.

A vigil for Fatima is scheduled for Friday evening as the community mourns her death.