Woman has baby kidnapped sets him on fire leaves him for dead by railroad tracks.

[Ares]

Ares: As a father, with a little boy not much older than the little guy in this news article it really bothered me reading this.

Woman, 25 is charged with murder 'after kidnapping baby boy with two men, setting him on fire and leaving him to die on Louisiana railroad tracks'
A six-month-old baby was murdered after his mother was maced, police say
Levi Cole Ellerbe was taken from his mother's trailer in Louisiana and set on fire
The infant died in hospital the day after his ordeal from his horrific injuries
Police charged Felicia Marie-Nicole Smith, 25 with first degree murder

A six-month old baby boy was kidnapped, set on fire and dumped near train tracks in Louisiana last week.

Baby Levi Cole Ellerbe was kidnapped on July 17 after two people came to mother Hanna Barker's trailer door just after 9pm and sprayed her in the face with what she believed was mace.

Instinctively, the Barker ran to get away, a statement from Natchitoches police said, and when she went back home, found her infant son was missing.

Police said the search for baby Levi began immediately, with additional officers from surrounding precincts called in to help.

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/07/24/18/4E8AA23500000578-5987507-Levi_Cole_Ellerbe_pictured_was_kidnapped_set_on_fi re_and_dumped_-m-5_1532453610729.jpg

Unfortunately, less than 90 minutes after Levi went missing, police were alerted to a fire nearby the railroad, where they found a badly burned six-month-old boy.

Levi was rushed to Natchitoches Regional Medical Center in a critical condition but died on Wednesday from his injuries.

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/07/24/18/4E8AA22C00000578-5987507-image-a-3_1532453515471.jpg

Felicia Marie-Nicole Smith, 25, was charged with the first degree murder of Levi on Saturday and booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center.

It is unclear if Smith and Hanna Barker knew each other personally, but the pair are friends on Facebook.

Levi, who had three sisters, Brookelaine, Elizabeth, and Nevaeh, was laid to rest on Friday. His obituary described him as 'the happiest baby who always had a big smile'.

'He spent his time playing with siblings and cousins especially outdoors, watching PJ Masks and video gaming with Uncle J,' the moving tribute read.

'He was an animal lover and anytime he could get his hands on his dog, Rex, he loved to pull his ears.

'Levi was a blessing to our family and everyone who met him. We will always remember him as our little 'Chunky Monkey'.'

Neighbor Kanika Johnson was the one who made the 911 call. She told Town Talk she thought the fire had been started by local children and was nothing malicious.

'I just seen it on fire. I didn't see nobody or nothing,' she said. 'I just thought some kids might have set it on fire or something.'

'I had called the police and told them to hurry up and send somebody to put the fire out before it spreads.

'And [the next day] I found out it was a baby.'

Hanna has been grieving with her mother, Kristy Roberts, and her sister.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5987507/Baby-boy-kidnapped-set-fire-left-dead-railroad-tracks.html

[Cebu_4_2]

Disgusting.

[vacuum]

So they invaded her home, attacked her, and kidnapped, tortured, and murdered her child?

What the fuck?

[Ares]

So they invaded her home, attacked her, and kidnapped, tortured, and murdered her child?

What the fuck?

No clue, cops haven't said what the hell the motive was other than being worthless animals I haven't got a clue why anyone would burn a 6 month old baby alive.

[midnight rambler]

I haven't got a clue why a nigger would burn a 6 month old white baby alive.

Really?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QWDkUVEFDA

[Ares]

Really?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QWDkUVEFDA

Good point, it would be world war 3 news 24/7/365 if the victim was black and the suspects were white.

If anything poor baby Levi is yet another victim of TNB perpetuated by cultural Marxist.

[madfranks]

Good point, it would be world war 3 news 24/7/365 if the victim was black and the suspects were white.There'd be riots in cities across the country if a little black baby was burned alive by a white person.

[Ares]

There'd be riots in cities across the country if a little black baby was burned alive by a white person.

Yep and the media would push that narrative as far as they could. But the baby is white and the suspects are black and I only saw it on a fucking FOREIGN owned news source. Nothing reported domestic other than the local media of where this happened.

[Dogman]

Yep and the media would push that narrative as far as they could. But the baby is white and the suspects are black and I only saw it on a fucking FOREIGN owned news source. Nothing reported domestic other than the local media of where this happened. Yep local news, was covered here on stations in my area. Expect more coverage when the trials start.

Very sad, for the kid and family.

Angola prison for the short or long time , never to walk free anymore depending of death or life sentences

[Ares]

They just arrested the mother of the infant as a principal to the crime.

UPDATE: The State Fire Marshal's office has made a second arrest in the 6-month-old boy's death.

Hannah Barker, 22, was charged with principal to first degree murder, in relation to the homicide of her son, Levi Cole Ellerbe.

Investigators say Barker and the first suspect, Felicia Marine-Nicole Smith, were known to each other prior to the homicide. An additional charge is expected to be brought against Smith.

"I want to highlight the determination and dedication of the team of investigators from both agencies who have doggedly worked this case from the start,' State Fire Marshal Chief H. "Butch" Browning said. "Rest assured, that diligent work is not over yet."

http://www.wbrz.com/news/second-arrest-made-after-baby-kidnapped-burned-to-death

[Cebu_4_2]

I thought they maced barker and then took the kid? It didn't add up that after she was maced she ran away from the trailer with kids inside.

[Ares]

I thought they maced barker and then took the kid? It didn't add up that after she was maced she ran away from the trailer with kids inside.

Yeah, it's looking like she was involved with her sons horrific death, likely helped with planning it, and trying to provide cover of her friend to the cops. I'm speculating that they wanted to burn the poor little guy to try and make him unidentifiable....

Just sad, burning is the most painful thing you can do to someone. How you can do that to a 6 month old, let alone your own son I'll never understand.

[midnight rambler]

How you can do that to a 6 month old, let alone your own son I'll never understand.

She gave her soul to Satan. Dunno what the trailer trash was thinking she'd get in return.

[Neuro]

Yeah, it's looking like she was involved with her sons horrific death, likely helped with planning it, and trying to provide cover of her friend to the cops. I'm speculating that they wanted to burn the poor little guy to try and make him unidentifiable....

Just sad, burning is the most painful thing you can do to someone. How you can do that to a 6 month old, let alone your own son I'll never understand.

Perhaps she killed her baby first with some blunt trauma and then hired this negro to get rid of the evidence?

Just read the article, and saw the baby died at the hospital from its injuries, so that theory goes lut of the window

[Neuro]

She gave her soul to Satan. Dunno what the trailer trash was thinking she'd get in return.

A new iphone?

[Ares]

It appears that the mother, and the black woman were romantically involved.

A retired police officer placed this wreath at the spot Levi was found burned at:

https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/ktbs.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/91/d91c0c42-913b-11e8-98e6-1b31dd082231/5b5a745e9d0c4.image.jpg

A memorial wreath was placed for Levi Cole Ellerbe Thursday.

Tim Key placed the wreath in the spot where Levi was burned in Natchicothes. The area is near the railroad tracks by Breda Ave.

Key, retired from the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office, says he placed the wreath on behalf of the Police Department, Sheriff’s Office, all other law enforcement and first responders in the area and the Natchitoches Regional Medical Center Emergency room staff.

Meanwhile, Additional charges have been filed against a Natchitoches Parish mother and girlfriend who are accused in the murder of a 6-month-old baby.

Hanna Barker, 22, and Felicia Marie-Nicole Smith, 25, both of Natchitoches, are now also charged with criminal conspiracy, according to the state fire marshal’s office. Both have been served with the new charge.

Barker was arrested Wednesday on a charge of principal to first-degree murder in the July 17 death of her son, Levi Cole Ellerbe. Smith was charged Saturday with first-degree murder.

KTBS talked to a number of folks in Natchitoches Thursday; some willing to talk about the two women and others not. Both were former employees at IHOP but no one there wanted to comment about the arrests.

Down the street at El Patron, where Barker worked, the owner and employees – some of whom are Barker’s neighbors -- said they always thought Barker’s story about being attacked and the baby being kidnapped didn’t add up.

“In my heart. … In my heart, I have no doubt about it; that she did it,” said Yolanda Esparza, El Patron owner and Barker’s former boss.

Robert Walker, a former co-worker and neighbor, added, “It’s normally a quiet neighborhood. We never have any issues. Kids are always outside playing all hours of the night. It’s just odd that they had a child abduction on this day when there were other kids outside and nobody else went missing.”

Some of the coworkers even initially set up a GoFundMe account to aid Barker, but then posted a message telling people not to donate and that money would be returned.

Coworkers and neighbors say Smith and Barker were in a relationship and were often seen together with Levi all over town and in restaurants.

Smith and Barker were booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center following a joint investigation by the fire marshal’s office and Natchitoches Police Department.

Bond was denied for Smith, who's been moved to the Richland Parish Jail in Rayville. Barker remains in NPDC until she sees a judge for a 72-hour bond hearing, which could happen this afternoon, according to a jail official.

More arrests could be forthcoming in this case that’s grabbed national headlines and elicited sharp reactions on website posts. The apparent heinous nature of the child’s death has prompted such social media comments as, “I think they should die the same horrible way that the poor innocent little boy died. Lit on fire and screaming in agony! They definitely shouldn’t be shown any mercy whatsoever?!!! Just my opinion.”

In the initial news release about Levi’s death, Natchitoches police said they were alerted to a kidnapping by a 911 call. Barker told them two unknown people came to the door of her RV at the Mayberry Trailer Park and sprayed her with Mace. Barker said she ran to get away from them then circled back, only to find her son missing.

About an hour later, a woman on Breda Avenue reported a fire near the railroad tracks. Firefighters arrived to find a baby suffering from extensive burns. He died later at a Shreveport hospital.

Law enforcement officers from various agencies joined in a search of the area, but no description was ever released about the possible intruders into Baker’s home.

After several days of silence, Natchitoches police on Monday announced the arrest of Smith two days before.

State Fire Marshal Butch Browning during a radio station interview Tuesday morning offered a small glimpse into the investigation his office is jointly conducting with NPD. Browning confirmed a relationship between Barker’s family and Smith, adding that connection gave Smith access to the baby.

“But it wasn’t a random act,” he said in the KEEL interview.

Browning’s office and NPD on Wednesday afternoon simultaneously announced the arrest of Barker.

Browning explained her charge to KTBS in a telephone interview: “When you’re charged with a principal to a crime that means you had a part in the crime. You may or may not have physically been there when the crime occurred. But you played a part in the execution of that crime.”

NPD is restricting the release of information about the homicide.

A woman who identified herself on Facebook as Barber’s niece said Smith attended Levi’s funeral, which was held Friday in Winnfield.

Levi’s obituary listed three other siblings. It’s uncertain if other family members or the state has custody of them.

https://www.ktbs.com/news/updated-memorial-wreath-placed-for-burned-baby/article_b566f882-90f7-11e8-a842-4f8ba1d50048.html

[PatColo]

as methods of murder go, "burning alive" is full on sadistic. And right outside the trailer park, where witnesses can & did see the fire?! Perish the thought; but why not like, blunt head trauma followed by burial somewhere a bit more 'remote?' Not even much work to bury; like burying a shoe box or similar... So much about this is so mind bogglingly stupid, imagining they had any intent of "getting away with it." :rolleyes:

[Ares]

as methods of murder go, "burning alive" is full on sadistic. And right outside the trailer park, where witnesses can & did see the fire?! Perish the thought; but why not like, blunt head trauma followed by burial somewhere a bit more 'remote?' Not even much work to bury; like burying a shoe box or similar... So much about this is so mind bogglingly stupid, imagining they had any intent of "getting away with it." :rolleyes:

I'm following this story in a couple of places. People are speculating that he was injured either on purpose or by accident and they tried to cover it up by burning him... Honestly no clue until police release the information. They said it could still be a couple of weeks.

I'll continue to provide updates as they come and will update this thread accordingly.


Levi's memorial video which was played at his funeral.


https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/FJCJBF956GTN95P5

He seemed like such a happy baby.....

[midnight rambler]

God provides for babies and small children

[Ares]

Indictment: Natchitoches woman set baby on fire, went to work

After Felicia Marie-Nicole Smith set baby Levi Cole Ellerbe on fire, she left him and went to work at IHOP, according to the indictment against her.

Smith is facing a first-degree murder charge in the July 18 death of the infant, who was just days from turning 7 months old. She was indicted Aug. 30 by a Natchitoches Parish grand jury.

Natchitoches Parish District Attorney Billy Joe Harrington said at the time of the indictment that the investigation remains active.

The indictment contains some previously unreleased details in the case. Among other documents filed Wednesday with the Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court's Office is an order with a handwritten note that states Smith reportedly confessed.

The indictment reads that Smith took Levi from the Mayberry Trailer Park home of his mother, Hanna Nicole Barker, around 9:10 p.m. on July 17. She left the park in the 5600 block of the La. Highway 1 Bypass and took the boy about a mile away, to the 700 block of Myrtle Street.

It states that Smith poured gasoline on the baby and set him on fire. Then she went to work just before 10 p.m., it reads.

A call about the fire was received by the Natchitoches Fire Department around 10:25 p.m. It was made by a woman, Kanika Johnson, who saw it as she was driving to her Breda Avenue home.

The fire was spotted from the opposite side of an elevated railroad track, and Johnson said she thought some kids might have set it. She didn't find out what had happened until the next morning.

Firefighters found Levi lying on his stomach in the fire, reads the indictment.

The baby was rushed to Natchitoches Regional Medical Center with second- and third-degree burns over approximately 90 percent of his body. He later was transferred to Louisiana State University Hospital in Shreveport but died around 3:35 a.m. July 18.

The gag order was issued July 30 by 10th Judicial District Court Judge Desiree Dyess.

It was issued "to prohibit any such dissemination of information as law enforcement has made a number of statements in the recent past," it reads.

The order cites a radio interview that State Fire Marshal Butch Browning gave a few days before. Browning discussed the case with Shreveport station, 710 KEEL News, saying that more arrests could be expected and that Smith knew Levi's family.

"This individual had a relationship with the family and certainly had access to the child, so we're still vetting through those things," said Browning during the interview, which was published to YouTube. "It wasn't a random act, which is important for us to put out."

Two other orders were issued by Dyess on July 30. One order set bond on a charge of criminal conspiracy at $1 million and ordered Smith to not have any contact with Levi's father or his family.

The other order denied bond on the first-degree murder charge and ordered Smith to have no contact with either of Levi's parents of their families.

A written note in that order, detailing reasons why bond was denied, states that Smith reportedly confessed.

Barker also has been arrested in the case, charged with being a principal to first-degree murder. The grand jury returned a pretermitted bill in her case, which means it requested more information to consider even as the investigation continues.

An arraignment date for Smith hasn't been set yet, according to court records.

Both women remain in jail. Smith is being held in Richland Parish, while Barker is in Caddo Parish.

https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/local/indictment-natchitoches-woman-set-baby-on-fire-went-to-work/289-592231624

[Cebu_4_2]

Why cant they just set her free? Hahaha, I bet I can set her straight in less than a minute and then let her think about it a few days before I come back and check on her.

[midnight rambler]

Someone has a surprise coming at the end of the line, and it also involves extreme heat and pain.

[Ares]

Woman burned north Louisiana baby to death because mom asked her to, official says

Hanna Nicole Barker was arrested July 25 on a charge of being a principal to first-degree murder in the death of 6-month-old Levi Cole Ellerbe.

NATCHITOCHES — Hours after the defendant's probation was revoked Friday, a Natchitoches Parish judge found there was probable cause to charge Hanna Nicole Barker in connection with the burning death of her infant son and that she should be held without bond.

As 10th Judicial District Court Judge Desiree Dyess made her ruling, Barker swiveled in her chair at the defense table and shook her head. Before she was led out of the courtroom, she tearfully mouthed, "I love y'all," to family members sitting in the gallery behind her.

Barker was arrested July 25 on a charge of being a principal to first-degree murder in the death of 6-month-old Levi Cole Ellerbe. She has not been indicted, although a Natchitoches Parish grand jury has heard details of the case.

During Friday's preliminary examination hearing, the state laid out its evidence against the mother, who will turn 23 on Sept. 25.

Barker accused of arranging death

The only witness was Lt. Jeremy Swisher, the Region 5 supervisor for the Louisiana State Fire Marshal's Office. Under questioning from Natchitoches Parish Assistant District Attorney Cliff Strider, he said it was Barker who approached Felicia Marie-Nicole Smith about killing Levi.

Smith, 26, has been indicted on a first-degree murder charge. The bill of indictment states she took Levi from his home, abandoned him in a wooded area, poured gasoline on him and set him on fire before leaving for her job at IHOP near Interstate 49.

Levi was found with second- and third-degree burns over 90 percent of his body. He died hours later, early on the morning of July 18, at a Shreveport hospital.

As Swisher described the scene, Barker cried and gasped.

The two women had an "intimate, sexual relationship," testified Swisher, although he said Barker related in an interview that she was only using Smith for attention and money.

He testified Smith told investigators Barker came to meet her at IHOP earlier on the day Levi was taken. Barker asked Smith if she loved her and if she would do anything for her, even if it meant going to jail, Swisher said.

He said Smith said Barker asked her to kill the baby, and Smith initially refused. But she agreed shortly after to do it.

Barker told Smith to shoot the infant, who was only days away from turning 7 months old, Swisher testified. Smith said she couldn't because her gun was jammed. Swisher said they found a gun — jammed because someone loaded a bullet backwards — at Smith's home.

Barker then told Smith she wanted the baby burned "until he was bones," Swisher testified. Barker told her that would get rid of evidence, he said.

The only potential motive alluded to were some comments apparently made by Barker, who talked about the difficulties of being a single mother. Strider later pointed to similar comments she made while in drug court.
Defense: No evidence to connect Barker

Barker's defense attorney, Dhu Thompson, argued that the only evidence the state has against Barker is Smith's statement. He said there's nothing else — no texts, no phone calls, no witnesses — that can back up Smith's claim.

Thompson asked Swisher if it was true Smith swore she'd "do something crazy" if Barker ended their relationship. Swisher testified Barker said Smith was much more invested in the relationship than she was and that the two hadn't talked for some time before Levi's death.

Thompson repeatedly asked Swisher about his thoughts to Barker's reaction at the initial crime scene and during her interviews. Swisher testified Barker didn't cry.

"Different people act differently in traumatic situations, correct?" asked Thompson, and Swisher agreed.

But Swisher also testified that some people interviewed by investigators called Barker "a compulsive liar" who was very manipulative. Some said they could believe Barker might be involved in Levi's death.

Some of those people were members of Billy Ellerbe's family. Swisher said they learned Barker and Ellerbe, who met while both were in drug court, had an estranged relationship. The two were civil, despite an unspecified incident, because of Levi, he testified.

The baby was their only connection, although some people interviewed thought Barker still wanted a relationship with him, said Swisher.

Swisher also testified that other people told investigators they couldn't believe Barker would be involved in Levi's death.

Thompson asked Swisher if there was any evidence that showed Barker had been at the scene where Levi was found or that she was involved in his burning. Swisher said no.
Changing stories

Swisher said two 911 calls were received on the night Levi disappeared — the first from one of Barker's landlords and the second from Barker, both received within 30 seconds of each other. He testified Barker was screaming someone had taken her baby, but that she ran from the trailer before that had happened.

Swisher called the crime scene at the trailer "staged," drawing disagreement from Thompson. Swisher testified that the back window of the trailer was smashed in, but not completely broken. He also said a bar in the middle of the window was bent, but remained in place.

Fingerprints and blood on the shattered window were traced to Smith, he testified.

Swisher also expressed doubt on Barker's claim she had been sprayed in her face with pepper spray. He said it couldn't be detected at the trailer and Barker wasn't suffering any "obvious discomfort," no swelling of her eyes or redness.

He said Barker was interviewed three times before her arrest. Each time, her story changed, he testified.

"She was lying, initially," he said, changing her story to make herself more credible.

While Thompson asked Swisher if that could be because Barker had had time to reflect on what happened, Strider had another explanation. He asked Swisher why it was important to note Barker kept changing her story.

Swisher said that showed investigators Barker was changing her story to fit what they knew. He testified that, at one point, Barker claimed Levi's father, Billy Ellerbe, might have been involved. But she dropped that when she learned Ellerbe had a solid alibi, he said.

But Thompson said Smith was the only one who had a motive — the end of the women's relationship — and she admitted to the crime. He said the only reason Smith is implicating Barker is "to save herself and get a better deal in this case."

https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/crime/woman-burned-north-louisiana-baby-to-death-because-mom-asked-her-to-official-says/289-597550096

[Ares]

Mother of Levi Ellerbe, baby burned to death, indicted

Hanna Nicole Barker, the mother of 6-month-old Levi Cole Ellerbe, has been indicted on a first-degree murder charge in his burning death.

The baby was found on July 17 in the remnants of a ditch fire off a Natchitoches street, critically burned, and early died the next day at a Shreveport hospital. He had suffered second- and third-degree burns over 90 percent of his body.

The indictment was filed in the 10th Judicial District Court in Natchitoches Friday.

Another woman, Felicia Marie-Nicole Smith, was indicted on the same charge on Aug. 30. According to testimony at a Sept. 21 preliminary examination hearing, Barker asked Smith to kill the child.

The indictment against Smith alleges that the 26-year-old Natchitoches woman took the baby from Barker's travel trailer at the Mayberry Trailer Park in the 5600 block of the La. Highway 1 Bypass.

Barker called 911 to report that Levi had been kidnapped, and that was followed soon by another 911 call from her landlord.

Smith's indictment reads that she left the baby in a ditch about a mile from his home, poured gasoline on him and set him on fire. Then she went to her job at IHOP, it reads.

But officials allege that the kidnapping claim was a ruse to hide a plot to kill the baby, who was just days from turning 7 months old.

The indictment against Barker provides no information about her alleged actions. There's also a gag order in the case, so most of what is publicly known came from Smith's indictment and the September hearing.

The only witness to testify was Lt. Jeremy Swisher, the Region 5 supervisor for the Louisiana State Fire Marshal's Office, which investigated the case with the Natchitoches Police Department.

Swisher testified that the two women were involved in a sexual relationship, but said Smith was more invested in it. He said Barker told investigators during an interview that she was using Smith for attention and money.

He said Barker met Smith at her job site earlier on the day Levi was taken. It was at that time that Barker asked Smith to kill her baby, Swisher testified.

Although Smith at first refused, she agreed to do it, he said.

Barker's defense attorney, Dru Thompson of Shreveport, has argued that prosecutors have no evidence to prove Barker asked Smith to kill the child. The only thing they have, he said, is Smith's statement.

He cross-examined Swisher on that, asking him if it was true Smith vowed "to do something crazy" if Barker ended their relationship.

Barker, who had been arrested in 2016 on drug-related charges, is facing a Dec. 3 probation revocation hearing.

A hearing to determine the source of funds for Smith's public defender was continued and has not been rescheduled yet.

https://www.thetowntalk.com/story/news/2018/11/09/mother-baby-burned-death-indicted/1946454002/

[Ares]

Natchitoches mom pleads not guilty to infant son's death

A Natchitoches Parish woman accused in the burning death of her child says she is not guilty.

Hanna Barker entered the not guilty plea today in Natchitoches Parish District Court. A court date is set for January 2020, according to her attorney Dhu Thompson.

Barker and her girlfriend Felicia Smith, also of Natchitoches, have been indicted for first-degree murder in the July death of Barker’s son, Levi Cole Ellerbe. Prosecutors allege the two, led by Barker, concocted and carried out a plan to kill the 7-month-old.

A trial date has not been set for Smith who is still without an attorney. A hearing last month to appoint counsel was unsuccessful. Another is set for 1 p.m. Dec. 20.

Investigators arrested the women after Levi’s burned body was found near railroad tracks adjacent to a Natchitoches neighborhood on the night of July 17. Authorities say Smith took Levi there, poured gasoline on him, set him on fire then returned to work.

First-responders found Levi alive, but severely burned. He was taken to a Shreveport hospital, where he died the next day. The coroner’s office said he suffered second-degree and third-degree burns over 90 percent of his body.

Smith, 25, was arrested three days later and charged with first-degree murder. Barker’s arrest as a principal to the crime came four days later. The grand jury upgraded the charge to first-degree murder.

A gag order issued by a Natchitoches Parish district judge prevents court officials and investigators from talking about the case. But the details were revealed in September during a court hearing to determine if there was enough evidence to hold Barker in jail.

A state fire marshal investigator described what he called inconsistencies in Barker’s statements and evidence of a staged crime scene. He also shared statements made by Smith during her interviews that implicated Barker as the one spearheading the plan to kill her child.

Thompson pointed out that prosecutors have no direct evidence linking Barker to Levi’s death. There are no text messages or telephone records between the two women talking about a plan, and there are no fingerprints, DNA or other evidence to support Smith’s claim.

The fire marshal investigator offered no motive for the crime, other than referencing statements made by Smith that Barker found it difficult to find babysitters and keep a job. And while Barker initially denied a sexual relationship with Smith, the investigator said Smith admitted there was one. There was also jealousy between the two because of a former girlfriend.

https://www.ktbs.com/news/3investigates/natchitoches-mom-pleads-not-guilty-to-infant-son-s-death/article_ec8e7110-f73a-11e8-a4e9-ef7edfce8413.html

[Cebu_4_2]

And then it disappears from publicity just like any other 'shocking' story. Nothing to see here.

[Ares]

And then it disappears from publicity just like any other 'shocking' story. Nothing to see here.

There's a gag order in place from the judge. My guess is due to how horrific the crime is to try and give them a fair trial so he doesn't want any details leaked.

[Cebu_4_2]

There's a gag order in place from the judge. My guess is due to how horrific the crime is to try and give them a fair trial so he doesn't want any details leaked.

Thanks for that update. I don't know how I could have possibly missed this little detail, The sprog pictured now looks white and next to a white arm... Any help with that one?

[Ares]

Thanks for that update. I don't know how I could have possibly missed this little detail, The sprog pictured now looks white and next to a white arm... Any help with that one?

The black woman was the white womans "lover" and the baby was from the white woman who according to the black woman asked her to kill him.

[Ares]

Mom allegedly demands girlfriend set baby Levi Ellerbe on fire, then claims baby boy kidnapped. She’s now facing possible execution

A Louisiana woman accused of orchestrating a murder that left her infant son dead will face the death penalty if she’s found guilty.

According to Town Talk, the state of Louisiana intends to seek death against Hanna Nicole Barker in connection with the 2018 murder of her 6-month-old son, Levi Cole Ellerbe. Barker, who pleaded not guilty to first-degree charges, initially claimed her baby was kidnapped by strangers.

Prosecutors alleged her story was a complete fabrication, made up after Barker told her former girlfriend, Felicia Marie-Nicole Smith, to kill the boy.

Prosecutors also said they’re seeking the death penalty due to extenuating circumstances of the case after Barker allegedly “engaged in the perpetration and attempted perpetration of cruelty to juveniles and second-degree cruelty to juveniles.”

As CrimeOnline previously reported, On July 17, 2018, Barker claimed two unknown men knocked on her door at around 9 p.m. and sprayed her in the face with what she thought was mace, according to prosecutors.

In a reported panic, Barker said she ran away, leaving Levi inside the residence. She stated she thought the attackers were after her and not the baby, although she claimed she had never seen the men before, police said.

The descriptions of the two reported men were never released.

Shortly after the baby was reported missing, law enforcement agencies, including Natchitoches PD, Louisiana State Police, Northwestern State University Police Department, and the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office began searching the area for the Levi.

Authorities discovered the baby with severe burns on his body a little after 10:20 p.m. on July 17, close to railroad tracks near Breda Avenue in Natchitoches, a few blocks from his home.

First responders rushed Levi to a local medical center. He was later airlifted to University Health in Shreveport, where he died on July 18. According to the Region 5 supervisor of the Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office, Lt. Jeremy Swisher, the boy had burns on over 90% of his body.

Barker was arrested July 25 and charged being a principal to first-degree murder. Three days prior, police arrested Smith on first-degree murder charges. Prosecutors later upgraded Barker’s charge to first-degree murder, according to ABC 3.

Swisher later said during Barker’s preliminary examination hearing that the crime scene at Barker’s home was “staged,” with a back window smashed but not completely broken. He also indicated that authorities traced blood and fingerprints on the window back to Smith. Further, he said no mace was detected inside the home or on Barker’s face.
Swisher also said Barker tried to blame the baby’s father, Billy Ellerbe, but changed her story when it was determined he had a strong alibi. He added that Barker and Smith were in an “intimate, sexual relationship” with each other, although Barker reportedly said she was using her co-defendant for money and attention.

Swisher said plans for the murder began when Barker approached Smith at a local IHOP restaurant in Natchitoches and asked, “if she loved her and if she would do anything for her, even if it meant going to jail.”

Barker then allegedly asked Smith to kill her baby boy. Smith supposedly refused at first but changed her mind shortly after, according to prosecutors.

Smith first tried to shoot Levi, according to Swisher, but the gun jammed. Barker then allegedly ordered her to burn the baby “until he was bones,” which would “get rid of evidence.”

The only possible motive insinuated so far was an alleged comment Barker made in court about how hard it was to be a single parent.

Barker’s attorney argued that the only person with a motive was Smith, who was upset after Barker broke up with her. The defense lawyer also reportedly said Smith claimed Barker was involved in the crime but no evidence exists to back up Smith’s claim.

Swisher said several people who were interviewed called Barker a “compulsive liar,” according to CBS 19, while others said they weren’t surprised that she may be involved with the baby’s death.

Barker’s trial is scheduled to begin in 2020. Prosecutors said Smith will likely also face the death penalty if found guilty. The suspects will be tried separately.

https://www.crimeonline.com/2019/08/15/mother-demands-girlfriend-set-baby-son-on-fire-then-claims-2-men-kidnapped-him-shes-now-facing-possible-death-prosecutors/

[Neuro]

Barker’s attorney argued that the only person with a motive was Smith, who was upset after Barker broke up with her. The defense lawyer also reportedly said Smith claimed Barker was involved in the crime but no evidence exists to back up Smith’s claim.

Really the fact that Barker fabricated a story of two men kidnappning her boy, and tried to blame the boys father, is no evidence?

Burn the bitch and her nigger accomplice. Both have spent their rights to life, after so coldheartedly planning to murder him, and then so viciously executing his murder. They deserve no mercy. Seriously they should be burned at the stakes. And experience the pain of the boy whose trust they betrayed. Not even having enough remorse to admit to the crime.

[Ares]

Natchitoches woman pleads guilty in case concerning burning death of toddler


https://www.kalb.com/2021/07/22/natchitoches-women-pleads-guilty-case-concerning-burning-death-toddler/