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Thread: Hanna Barker Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison in 2018 LA Murder of Six-Month-Old Levi Cole Ellerbe

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    Hanna Barker Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison in 2018 LA Murder of Six-Month-Old Levi Cole Ellerbe




    Levi Cole Ellerbe


    Felicia Marie-Nicole Smith




    Hanna Barker


    WOMAN ARRESTED FOR KIDNAPPING, BURNING 6-MONTH-OLD BABY ALIVE, POLICE SAY


    “I just seen it on fire. I didn’t see nobody or nothing,” said the resident who reported the baby on fire to authorities

    By Stefan Lembo-Stolba
    Oxygen News

    Felicia Marie-Nicole Smith was charged with first-degree murder after firefighters found the body of a 6-month-old baby burned close to the home he was abducted from, WGNO in New Orleans reported.

    Levi Cole Ellerbe was found severely burned in Natchitoches, Louisiana, and was air-rushed to a local burn center where he eventually died, Natchitoches police wrote on Facebook.

    Ellerbe’s mother told police that on July 17, men came to her house and knocked on her door. After entering her house, the men sprayed her with something she thought could have been pepper spray and she ran from her home trying to escape them, police said.

    Upon returning to her house, Ellerbe’s mother realized her infant son had been taken and called the authorities. Officers began searching the area around the home and called in assistance from three other nearby police departments.

    After receiving reports of smoke nearby, the fire department discovered the body near a railroad track around one hour after Ellerbe’s mother realized he was missing, WGNO reported.

    "I just seen it on fire. I didn't see nobody or nothing,” a Natchitoches resident, Kanika Johnson told The Town Talk in Alexandria. "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."

    The infant’s obituary described him as “the happiest baby who always had a big smile.”

    “Levi was a blessing to our family and everyone who met him. We will always remember him as our little "Chunky Monkey," the obituary said.

    None of the police statements mentioned the nature of the relationship between Ellerbe, his mother and Smith.

    The investigation is ongoing and Smith is currently being held in Natchitoches Parish Detention Center.

    https://www.oxygen.com/crime-time/lo...i-cole-ellerbe
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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    Mother of 6-month-old burned to death has been arrested

    By KNOE 8 News

    NATCHITOCHES, La. (KNOE) - Authorities say the mother of a 6-month-old who died after suffering severe burns has been arrested.

    According to the Natchitoches Police Department, 22-year-old Hannah Barker on Wednesday after claiming that someone maced her and then kidnapped her baby. She has been charged with Principal to 1st Degree Murder.

    The following news release was just sent to KNOE:

    "The Natchitoches Police Department and the Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office have worked tirelessly together in order to learn the facts behind this Homicide. The two agencies have worked as one since this investigation’s conception through extremely long days and nights with little to no sleep."


    "On July 25, 2018, Hannah Barker, W/F, 22 years of age, was charged with Principal to 1st Degree Murder in the killing of her 6-month-old baby boy, Levi Ellerbe. Barker was booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center awaiting a 72-hour hearing."


    "Earlier this week, Natchitoches resident Felicia Marie-Nicole Smith was arrested for 1st Degree Murder in the case. An additional charge is expected to be brought against Smith."


    "Due to the extremely rapidly growing nature of this investigation, we must continue to restrict the information that is released. Therefore, NO FURTHER INFORMATION SHALL BE RELEASED AT THIS TIME. Thank you for your cooperation. - Approved for release by Chief M. Dove"


    According to Natchitoches Police, Barker reported her son had been kidnapped on July 17th. She told police that two people came to her home just before 9:10 PM and started banging on her door. When she answered, she said, they sprayed her in the face with mace. She says she ran from her home to get away from her attackers and when she circled back around, her baby was gone.

    Investigators say they then received a report of a fire near Breda Avenue around 10:20 PM that same night. When they arrived, they found the body of the woman's 6-month-old child with burns on his body. He died at the hospital a short time later.

    Investigators have not disclosed the relationship between Hannah Barker and Felicia Marie-Nicole Smith.

    http://www.knoe.com/content/news/Mot...489161651.html
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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    More charges filed in burning death of 6-month-old

    By Matthew Segura
    KNOE 8 News

    NATCHITOCHES, La. (KNOE) - Update: More charges have been filed against two people believed to be involved with the death of a 6-month-old baby.

    Authorities say Hannah Barker and Felicia Marie-Nicole Smith have both been charged with Criminal Conspiracy. Hannah Barker was the mother of 6-month-old Levi Ellerbe.

    Authorities say the mother of a 6-month-old who died after suffering severe burns has been arrested.

    According to the Natchitoches Police Department, 22-year-old Hannah Barker on Wednesday after claiming that someone maced her and then kidnapped her baby. She has been charged with Principal to 1st Degree Murder.

    The following news release was just sent to KNOE:

    "The Natchitoches Police Department and the Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office have worked tirelessly together in order to learn the facts behind this Homicide. The two agencies have worked as one since this investigation’s conception through extremely long days and nights with little to no sleep."

    "On July 25, 2018, Hannah Barker, W/F, 22 years of age, was charged with Principal to 1st Degree Murder in the killing of her 6-month-old baby boy, Levi Ellerbe. Barker was booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center awaiting a 72-hour hearing."


    "Earlier this week, Natchitoches resident Felicia Marie-Nicole Smith was arrested for 1st Degree Murder in the case. An additional charge is expected to be brought against Smith."


    "Due to the extremely rapidly growing nature of this investigation, we must continue to restrict the information that is released. Therefore, NO FURTHER INFORMATION SHALL BE RELEASED AT THIS TIME. Thank you for your cooperation. - Approved for release by Chief M. Dove"


    According to Natchitoches Police, Barker reported her son had been kidnapped on July 17th. She told police that two people came to her home just before 9:10 PM and started banging on her door. When she answered, she said, they sprayed her in the face with mace. She says she ran from her home to get away from her attackers and when she circled back around, her baby was gone.

    Investigators say they then received a report of a fire near Breda Avenue around 10:20 PM that same night. When they arrived, they found the body of the woman's 6-month-old child with burns on his body. He died at the hospital a short time later.

    http://www.knoe.com/content/news/Mor...489261691.html
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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    Senior Member CnCP Legend CharlesMartel's Avatar
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    They make me sick.
    In the Shadow of Your Wings
    1 A Prayer of David. Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry! Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit!

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    Women accused in the burning death of an infant await court date

    By Bia Rolden
    KTBS News

    Natchitoches, LA - No court dates have been set so far for either woman charged in the death of a 6-month-old baby in Natchitoches.

    Hanna Nicole Barker, has been moved to Caddo Correctional Center. Felicia Marie-Nicole Smith remains in the Richland Parish Jail in Rayville, LA.

    Both are accused of killing baby Levi Cole Ellerbe, who was Barker's son.

    The district judge issued a gag order preventing law enforcement from releasing further information.

    A balloon release in memory of Ellerbe is set for Saturday, August 4, at 6 p.m. at the Natchitoches riverfront.

    https://www.ktbs.com/news/women-accu...e02058be7.html
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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    Woman indicted on murder charge in burned baby case

    By Melissa Gregory
    Alexandria Town Talk

    A Natchitoches Parish grand jury has indicted one woman in the case of a 6-month-old baby who died after being found in a fire.

    Felicia Marie-Nicole Smith, 26, was indicted on a charge of first-degree murder in the death of Levi Cole Ellerbe. The indictment was announced Thursday afternoon by the Natchitoches Parish District Attorney's Office.

    The baby was found in a fire near a railroad track in Natchitoches on July 17, but died the next day at a Shreveport hospital.

    Levi's mother, 22-year-old Hanna Nicole Barker, also was arrested in the case. The grand jury pretermitted that case, which means that it requested more information in order to proceed with its work as the investigation continues.

    The 10th Judicial District Court has issued a gag order in the case, according to DA Billy Joe Harrington.

    Both women remain jailed — Smith in Richland Parish, Barker in Caddo Parish. Barker has been charged with criminal conspiracy and being a principal to first-degree murder.

    “These cases are still under investigation," said Harrington in the release. "The Natchitoches City Police and the Louisiana State Fire Marshal are continuing with their work on both cases. As additional evidence is obtained and presented, we will proceed accordingly.”

    https://www.thetowntalk.com/story/ne...se/1150044002/
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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

    The Town Talk

    (Alexandria Town Talk) - 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.

    Read more about the indictment here.

    https://www.klfy.com/news/louisiana/...ork/1425856259
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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    Mother of burned baby to seek bond in Friday hearing

    By Melissa Gregory
    Alexandria Town Talk

    The mother of a baby who died after being found in a fire is seeking to have bond set, according to court documents.

    Hanna Nicole Barker is scheduled to be in a Natchitoches Parish courtroom Friday morning for multiple motions, including one to set bond. The motions were filed recently by Shreveport attorney J. Dhu Thompson, a former prosecutor now in private practice.

    Barker, 22, was arrested by the Natchitoches Police Department on July 25 on charges of being a principal to first-degree murder and criminal conspiracy.

    Some of the motions filed by Thompson state Barker has been charged with first-degree murder and faces the death penalty. But a Natchitoches Parish grand jury did not indict Barker last month.

    However, the grand jury did request more information on the case against her even as the police investigation, conducted jointly by the Natchitoches Police Department and the Louisiana State Fire Marshal's Office, continues.

    When the grand jury news was announced, Natchitoches Parish District Attorney Billy Joe Harrington said that, as more evidence was presented, "we will proceed accordingly."

    Baker's arrest happened one week after the death of her 6-month-old son, Levi Cole Ellerbe.

    The infant had been found late July 17 in a fire beside a railroad track in Natchitoches, about an hour after Barker had reported that he'd been kidnapped by suspects who had knocked on the door of her trailer and sprayed a substance in her face.

    Another woman, Felicia Marie-Nicole Smith, was arrested July 21 on a charge of first-degree murder. She was indicted by the grand jury on that same charge on Aug. 30.

    No arraignment dates have been set for either woman yet.

    Barker has been jailed in Caddo Parish since her arrest. Smith is jailed in Richland Parish.

    A gag order has been filed in the homicide case, but investigators and the families haven't said much publicly since Levi's death. Still, the case generated international headlines and outrage.

    People wrote profane messages, detailing what they think should be done to both women, on their Facebook pages and other social media. A Facebook page, Justice for Baby Levi Ellerbe, has been started so people can keep tabs on developments.

    Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court records show that an order was signed to allow Thompson to enroll as Barker's attorney on Sept. 5. A document declaring her indigent also is on file with the clerk's office.

    Thompson has filed 19 motions already, including the motion to set bond. Some have been granted, while others are set to be heard on Friday.
    Drug charges for both

    Both Barker and Smith have had prior charges in Natchitoches Parish, both for drug-related offenses.

    But whereas Barker was accepted into drug court within days of her 2016 arrest on meth and drug paraphernalia possession charges, Smith missed numerous court appearances and spent time behind bars.

    According to clerk records, Smith previously was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance I with intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia.

    Those charges stemmed from an arrest in Natchitoches Parish on July 27, 2015.

    But she failed to appear at several court hearings, and she also spent time incarcerated in Richland Parish around the same time. She had an April court date for a plea, but records don't reflect what happened beyond that.

    The minutes from Barker's drug court appearances show successes and setbacks — and admonishment from the court for a relationship with Billy Dean Ellerbe, Levi's father.

    The misdemeanor charge against her was dropped, and the imposition of a sentence on the drug charge was deferred. Barker was placed on five years supervised probation through the 10th Judicial District Court's Drug Court.

    The minutes from the week before Levi's birth detail her mood. She described herself as anxious, nervous, excited. She told Judge Lala Sylvester that she'd decided to name the boy Levi Cole.

    She said she spent the previous night in a fit of "nesting," preparing for his arrival. And when she said she hadn't been able to sleep much lately, Slyvester quipped that she should sleep while she could.

    But, before that, Barker had experienced a rough patch, not fulfilling her drug court obligations to the judge's satisfaction. By March 2017, though, she had gotten a car and was working.

    She was trying to gain admittance to Northwestern State University with the goal of being an athletic trainer. She was going to start playing softball again, and Sylvester told her she'd heard Barker had been a wonderful player.

    After Levi's birth, Barker had at least two more dates in the district's drug court, the last on June 13, according to clerk records. There are no minutes reflecting what happened during those appearances.

    https://eu.thetowntalk.com/story/new...ng/1347471002/
    In the Shadow of Your Wings
    1 A Prayer of David. Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry! Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit!

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    Prosecutor: Mom asked girlfriend to burn 6-month-old baby

    A Louisiana prosecutor says a mother accused in her infant son's death asked her girlfriend to kill the baby.

    Hanna Nicole Barker is being held without bond. A judge ruled Friday that there's probable cause to charge her as a principal to murder in the death of 6-month-old Levi Cole Ellerbee.

    The Town Talk of Alexandria reports that defense attorney Dhu Thompson argued Friday in Natchitoches that the only evidence against Barker is a statement from the woman accused of setting the baby on fire. Thompson says Felicia Marie-Nicole Smith is just trying to get a better deal for herself.

    Smith has been charged with 1st-degree murder, which can bring the death penalty.

    Barker has not been indicted. A grand jury has heard the case against her.

    (source: Associated Press)
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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    Revocation hearing for Natchitoches mom continued

    By Melissa Gregory
    Alexandria Town Talk

    NATCHITOCHES — A probation revocation hearing for a mother accused in the burning death of her infant son was continued on Wednesday.

    No new date has been set yet for the hearing in Hanna Nicole Barker's case.

    The 23-year-old Barker was arrested on July 25 by the Natchitoches Police Department on charges of being a principal to first-degree murder and criminal conspiracy.

    She has not been indicted or arraigned on any charges yet.

    The baby died on July 18, just hours after he was found on his stomach in a fire near a railroad track about a mile from his home. He had suffered second- and third-degree burns over 90 percent of his body.

    Based on testimony from a previous hearing, prosecutors allege that Barker directed Felicia Marie-Nicole Smith to kill the baby. The two women had been involved in a relationship.

    Officials moved to revoke Barker's probation on drug charges from 2016 months after her arrest. The motion noted that Barker hasn't paid her fines and court costs and accuses her of violating rules of the 10th Judicial District Court drug court.

    The hearing was set for Wednesday morning, but Judge Lala B. Sylvester recused herself on Tuesday from the case.

    Barker continues to be held in the Caddo Parish Jail with no bond.

    Smith was indicted in late August on a first-degree murder charge. She is being held in Richland Parish without bond and has no court dates set.

    https://www.thetowntalk.com/story/ne...ed/1591280002/
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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