Killing of Emma Grace Cole

Emma Grace Cole (January 10, 2016 – c. July to September 2019) was an American murder and torture victim from Bloomington, Indiana whose burnt skeletal remains were discovered near a softball complex in Smyrna, Delaware on September 13, 2019. She remained unidentified for over a year and was known as "Baby Elle" and "Jane Smyrna Doe 2019" until her identification in October 2020. The killing has gained significant attention and media coverage due to the circumstances of Emma's death and her former status as an unidentified murder victim.

Killing of Emma Grace Cole
Victim Emma Grace Cole
LocationSmyrna, Delaware, U.S.
Datec. July – September 2019 (killing)
September 13, 2019 (discovery of remains)
Attack type
Child murder, burning, torture
VictimEmma Grace Cole, aged 3
MotiveUnknown
Accused
  • Kristie Lynn Haas
  • Brandon L. Haas
ChargesKristie:

Kristie and Brandon:

TrialScheduled for July 10, 2023

In October 2020 following Emma's identification, her mother, 28-year old Kristie Haas, and step-father, 38-year old Brandon Hass, were arrested in connection with her death and were charged with first-degree child abuse. In May 2021, they were re-indicted, with Kristie now facing first-degree murder by abuse or neglect charges. Their trial is scheduled for July 2023. If convicted, Kristie faces up to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, while Brandon faces up to 44 years in prison.[1]

Discovery of remains and investigation

On September 13, 2019, the burnt skeletal remains of a female child were discovered by a dogwalker near a softball complex across from Smyrna Middle School in Smyrna, Delaware. It was estimated that her remains had been there for weeks at minimum. The identity of the remains was not initially determined. It had been estimated that the unidentified child was either Caucasian or Hispanic, between the ages of 2 to 5 years old, and had slightly wavy brown hair.[2][3][4] The case garnered major attention in media and public discourse because of the child's status as an unidentified person and for the initial lack of suspects in the case. The unidentified child was nicknamed "Baby Elle" by law enforcement and the public until her identification.[5] She did not match any missing person reports in the state.[2]

Identification and arrests

In October 2020, the child was identified as Emma Grace Cole, the 3-year old daughter of Kristie Lynn Haas (previously Kristie Lynn Cole) and Joshua Douthitt. Soon after, on October 12, Kristie and her husband, Brandon L. Hass were arrested in Indiana on charges of child abuse.[2][5] They were extradited to Delaware, and in May 2021, Kristie and Brandon were re-indicted, with Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings announcing that murder charges had been added for Kristie.[6][7][8][9] Specific details of the abuse that Emma had endured were revealed, allegedly at the hands of Kristie and Brandon. According to the indictment, Emma was tortured by Kristie and Brandon for periods between January 2018 and September 2019. The indictment alleges that the couple deprived Emma of food, tortured her, endangered her welfare, deprived her of necessary medical care, bruised her face, forced her to exercise to an unreasonable level, inflicted inappropriate physical discipline, and burned her.[10] Court records showed that Kristie had been in multiple custody battles between 2016 and 2017 over Emma with Emma's great-aunt and other family members. Kristie and Brandon had lived with Emma in both Indiana and Smyrna, Delaware. At the time of Emma's killing, the couple had lived a mile from the Little Lass softball fields where Emma's remains would end up being found. Following the killing, the couple fled to Indiana where they had previously resided.[11]

The murder and abuse trial for Kristie and Brandon is currently scheduled for July 10, 2023.[12] If convicted, Kristie faces a minimum of 15 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison without the possibility of parole, and Brandon faces up to 44 years in prison.[1]

Legacy

The Little Lass softball field where Emma's remains were found was dedicated as the Emma Grace Memorial Field in November 2020.[13]

See also

Notes
  1. Three felony counts, three misdemeanor counts.

References
  1. "SUMMARY OF PRESUMPTIVE SENTENCES" (PDF).
  2. "Documents unsealed in Smyrna child death case: Affidavit brings details". Bay to Bay News. Retrieved 2022-12-22.
  3. Bies, Jessica. "After remains found, National Center for Missing & Exploited Children helping Smyrna police". The News Journal. Retrieved 2022-12-22.
  4. "NEW FACIAL RECONSTRUCTION FOR JANE DOE, FOUND IN SMYRNA, DELAWARE". WVBR 93.5 FM. 2019-11-18. Retrieved 2022-12-22.
  5. "Couple jailed in connection with toddler's remains found at Delaware softball field last year". Action News Jax. 2020-10-13. Retrieved 2022-12-22.
  6. "Prosecutor details new charges in death of Emma Cole". The News Journal. Retrieved 2022-12-22.
  7. Hughes, Isabel. "Mom of Emma Cole, whose remains were found in Smyrna in 2019, charged with murder". The News Journal. Retrieved 2022-12-22.
  8. "Murder charges added in Smyrna child remains case". State of Delaware News. 2021-05-04. Retrieved 2022-12-22.
  9. "Haas Indictments" (PDF).
  10. "Mom charged with murder of 3-year-old found buried near Delaware softball field in 2019". FOX13 News Memphis. 2021-05-05. Retrieved 2022-12-22.
  11. "Remembering Emma Grace Cole and the joy she brought in her short life". The News Journal.
  12. "Smyrna-related infant's death trial continued until 2023". Bay to Bay News. Retrieved 2022-12-22.
  13. "Mom charged with murder of 3-year-old found buried near Delaware softball field in 2019". FOX13 News Memphis. 2021-05-05. Retrieved 2022-12-22.
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