A warning to our viewers what you’re about to watch is a true story the following program contains content that some viewers may find disturbing viewer discretion is strongly advised nacadish Louisiana July 17 2018 10:57 p.m. Jesus Christ that’s not garbage burning that’s a baby the firefighter scream cuts through the night as his flashlight illuminates what no human should ever see a six-month-old infant writhing in Flames skin blackening fat melting organs cooking from the inside out baby Levi Cole ellerby had kidnapped DED in
gasoline set on fire and left to burn alive in a roadside ditch 2 hours earlier his mother Hannah Barker called 911 hysterical someone took my baby two men broke in and sprayed something in my face it was all a lie the truth police would discover Hannah had allegedly asked her girlfriend a chilling question at the local IHOP that very afternoon do you love me enough to do anything for me even if it means going to jail the answer was yes what followed was a murder so calculated so coldblooded that it shocked even veteran
detectives no evidence psychosis no drug fueled rage just a mother who allegedly found her child inconvenient and and a lover willing to burn that child alive to prove her devotion as the investigation unfolded detectives faced a maze of contradictions Hannah’s shifting Stories the suspiciously staged crime scene the total lack of physical evidence tying her to her son’s murder and at the center of it all two women pointing fingers at each other while a community demanded Justice for a baby who died in unspeakable
Agony this isn’t just a story about how Levi died it’s about the lies manipulation and betrayal that made his murder possible and the Relentless Pursuit Of Truth that would ultimately bring his Killers to Justice welcome to the shadow files crime series tonight’s case will shake you to your core take a moment to hit subscribe drop a like and please let us know where you’re watching from and now we begin nacadish Louisiana the oldest permanent settlement in the entire Louis lisiana purchase founded in 1714 along the winding cane River a town
of just under 18,000 Souls where historical brick buildings line the downtown district and Spanish moss drapes from centuries old oak trees tourism brochures painted as a Charming slice of Southern history but away from the preserved facades and Heritage sites lies a different reality in the trailer parks and modest homes scattered across nachadish Parish many young families struggle with generational poverty limited job prospects and the crushing weight of America’s opioid epidemic here the median household income hovers
around $28,000 nearly half the national average dreams die young in these parts often replaced by addiction and Desperation it was in this environment that 22-year-old Hannah Nicole Barker was Raising her infant son Levi a high school dropout with a history of drug problems Barker had met Levi’s father Billy ellerby Jr while both were in drug court a last chance program for addicts facing criminal charges their relationship had grown strained leaving Hannah to care for Levi primarily on her own in a small travel trailer enter Felicia Marie
Nicole Smith 26 a cook at the local IHOP restaurant and Barker’s Girlfriend by all outward appearances Smith seemed devoted to both Hannah and baby Levi what no one realized was that beneath the surface of this seemingly normal young family a Sinister plot was already in motion one that would end with the unthinkable sacrifice of an innocent child Levi Cole ellerby entered the world in the winter of 2017 a perfect baby boy with bright eyes and a full head of dark hair in interviews before his death Hannah described herself as
anxious nervous excited about his birth she posted beaming photos on social media cradling her newborn son images that would later haunt investigators as they tried to reconcile the doting mother in those pictures with the woman they would eventually charge with orchestrating his murder for the first 6 months of his life Levi seemed to be developing normally neighbors would later recall hearing a baby’s laughter from inside the cramped travel trailer Hannah called home a stark metal rectangle parked on a modest plot of
land in nachadish the trailer had just enough room for a small kitchenet a bathroom and a bedroom where mother and son slept in summer the Louisiana heat would transform the thin walled structure into an oven in Winter the cold would seep through every crack the relationship between Hannah and Levi’s father Billy ellerby Jr had grown increasingly strained after Levi’s birth the two had met while both were participating in nacadish Parish drug court a program offering an alternative to incarceration for those struggling
with addiction their shared history of substance abuse had initially brought them together but Parenthood had pushed them apart court records paint a troubling picture of Hannah’s life before motherhood in 2016 she had pleaded guilty to multiple drug charges resulting in 5 years of probation instead of jail time her probation officer would later testify about numerous violations during her time in drug court Mis check-ins failed drug tests and unauthorized relationship ship with known drug dealers for Hannah the
daily reality of raising Levi alone was a struggle that few in her life fully understood finding reliable Child Care while working minimum wage jobs was nearly impossible the cost of formula diapers and baby cloth stretched her meager income to the breaking point sleepless nights with a ky infant compounded the stress the freedom of her pre-mother’s vable period that Felicia Smith entered the picture 10 years Hannah’s senior Smith held a steady job as a cook at the local IHOP she had her own place her own income and she showed
immediate interest in both Hannah and baby Levi for a struggling young mother Smith must have seemed like a godsend a stable partner who could provide both emotional and financial support their relationship progressed quickly developing into what investigators would later describe as an intimate section ual relationship but beneath the surface troubling Dynamics were at play according to statements Smith later made to investigators she had fallen deeply in love with Hannah becoming infatuated with the younger woman Hannah however
allegedly viewed the relationship quite differently in a chilling confession Smith would later tell authorities that Hannah was simply using her for attention and money playing on Smith’s emotions to extract financial support and affection without genuinely reciprocating her feelings this emotional manipulation would eventually take a Sinister turn Smith told investigators that she had become obsessively devoted to Hannah willing to do anything to maintain their relationship Smith was much more invested in the relationship than she
was one detective noted in his report referencing Hannah’s statements during questioning this imbalance created a dangerous power Dynamic one that Hannah allegedly exploited to deadly effect as we go into the most chilling details of this documentary take a brief moment to like And subscribe to our Channel if you haven’t already for more in-depth investigations and Analysis of significant cases like this as the spring of 2018 turned to Summer what had begun as a seemingly hopeful new chapter for Hannah with a supportive partner to
help raise her child was transforming into something far more disturbing behind closed doors a deadly propos proposal was allegedly taking shape one that would irreversibly alter the fates of everyone involved especially innocent baby Levi July 17th 2018 began as an ordinary summer day in nadash security footage from the local IHOP captured Hannah Barker entering the restaurant at approxima
tely 1:30 p.m. she was there to meet Felicia Smith who was working her regular shift what transpired during this meeting would later become a crucial piece of evidence for prosecutors according to Smith’s subsequent testimony this wasn’t a casual lunch date it was here amid the clatter of plates and syrup dispensers that Barker allegedly asked the Fateful question do you love me enough to do anything for me even if it means going to jail Smith would later tell investigators that Barker then outlined her deadly request she wanted her son killed when Smith initi balked Barker
allegedly persuaded her playing on her devotion and manipulating her feelings until Smith reluctantly agreed fast forward to 910 p.m. that evening residents near Barker’s trailer hear frantic screaming seconds later two 911 calls are placed the first from Barker’s landlord the second from Barker herself both received within 30 seconds of each other My Baby’s Gone someone took my baby BBE Barker’s Voice wailes through the phone line she tells the dispatcher that two men knocked on her door sprayed her in the face with mace or pepper
spray and when she ran outside to escape they entered her home and took Levi when questioned later she would give three different descriptions of these alleged kidnappers for the next hour and a half police began searching the area around Barker’s trailer meanwhile approximately 1.
5 mil away Felicia Smith allegedly carries out the plan court documents reveal she took Levi to a desolate area along braa Avenue near railroad tracks doused his tiny body in gasoline and set him on fire before leaving for her shift at IHOP at approximately 10:49 p.m. a passing motorist notices flames in a roadside ditch and calls 911 reporting what they assume is just another trash fire a common occurrence in rural areas nacadish firefighters arrive on scene at 10:57 p.m.
what they discover turns the evening from a routine call into an unforgettable nightmare there in the ditch lies baby Levi his body catastrophically burned but somehow still alive second and third degree burns cover 90% of his small frame his clothing has melted into his skin emergency responders Rush Levi to nachadish Regional Medical Center in critical condition doctors recognizing the severity of his injury arrange an immediate airlift to university health in shreport where a specialized Burn Unit awaits despite the medical team’s desperate efforts the damage is too
extensive at approximately 1:30 a.m. on July 18 2018 Levi Cole Elby is pronounced dead his brief life extinguished in one of the most painful ways imaginable as Dawn broke over nadich on July 18th investigators were already growing suspicious of Hannah bar ‘s kidnapping story Lieutenant Jeremy swisser of the Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office who would later become the key witness against Barker noticed troubling inconsistencies from the start she alternated between being mad and screaming swisser would later testify in
court but I never saw her cry for seasoned investigators her emotional responses seemed performative rather than genuine the behavior of someone playing the role of grieving mother rather than actually experiencing that grief the physical evidence or lack thereof further eroded her credibility despite Barker’s claims of being pepper sprayed officers detected no lingering chemical smell in the trailer her face showed none of the Telltale redness swelling or irritation that pepper spray invariably leaves behind when questioned
about this discrepancy Barker had no explanation the broken window at the rear of the trailer raised additional red flags the glass was shattered but the security bar remained in place making it impossible for anyone to have entered that way forensic analysis later revealed something damning Felicia Smith’s fingerprints and blood were found on the broken glass the scene had all the Hallmarks of being staged perhaps most damning was a simple logical inconsistency in Barker’s initial statement she told both her
landlord and the 911 dispatcher that her baby had been taken yet by her own account she had fled her trailer immediately medely after being pepper sprayed running straight to her landlord’s home how could she have known Levi was missing if she never went back inside to check when confronted with these inconsistencies Barker’s story shifted not once but three times she gave different descriptions of her alleged attackers and changed key details with each retelling as one investigator put it she changed her statement based on the facts
we gave her to look more credible at the burn site investigators recovered traces of gasoline and a partial shoe print they also found an empty child’s diaper but there was nothing directly connecting Hannah Barker to the scene a fact her defense would later emphasize the Breakthrough came just days after Levi’s death when investigators identified Felicia Smith as a person of interest what led them to her doorstep would change the entire trajectory of the case on July 21st Just 4 days after Levi’s death police arrested Felicia
Marie Nicole Smith at her apartment initially charged with first-degree murder Smith remained silent during her first encounter with authorities but as the evidence mounted against her she made a decision that would send shock waves through the community she began to talk in a recorded confession that left even veteran investigators shaken Smith admitted to committing the unthinkable act she described in clinical detail how she had taken baby Levi from Barker’s trailer carried him to a secluded area near railroad tracks on breida Avenue
doused his body with gasoline and set him on fire she then calmly left the scene to report for her shift at IHOP as if she hadn’t just committed one of the most horrific crimes in Nati’s history but the most explosive part of Smith’s confession wasn’t the admission of her own guilt it was her accusation that Hannah Barker had masterminded the entire plot according to Smith killing Levi wasn’t her idea at all it was a plan conceived by the child’s own mother Smith told investigators that their initial plan had been to shoot the
infant she claimed to have a gun for this purpose but said it had jammed when police later searched Smith’s home they indeed found a firearm rendered inoperable because someone had loaded a bullet backward into the chamber precisely as Smith had described with a gun option eliminated Smith said Barker suggested an alternative method burning according to Smith’s testimony Barker specifically requested that Levi be burned until he was bones to eliminate any evidence that might connect the crime back to her when asked about
Barker’s motive Smith pointed to the young mother’s frequent complaints about the burden of Parenthood she talked about how hard it was to find babysitters Smith stated how she couldn’t keep a job because of Levi text messages recovered from Smith’s phone showed Barker lamenting the difficulties of single motherhood on multiple occasions in perhaps the most disturbing Revelation Smith described how Barker had emotionally manipulated her into committing the murder she claimed Barker had asked her do you love me enough to
do anything for me even if it means going to jail exploiting Smith’s deep emotional attachment to convince her to commit an unspeakable Act on July 25th 2018 Hannah Barker was arrested and charged as a principal to first-degree murder when detectives informed her that Smith had implicated her in the crime Barker’s response was immediate and visceral that bee killed my baby she spat out her face contorted with what appeared to be genuine rage in core two starkly different narratives emerged Barker’s defense attorney du
Thompson framed Smith as a jilted lover seeking Revenge the only evidence the state has against Barker is Smith’s statement Thompson argued during a preliminary hearing there’s nothing else no texts no phone calls no witnesses that can back up Smith’s claim Thompson painted Smith as the sole perpetrator pointing out that she not only had a motive the end of their relationship but had actually confessed to the crime accusing Barker was only done to save herself Thompson insisted and get a better deal in this case case
the prosecution led by assistant district attorney Cliff Strider acknowledged their case against Barker was largely circumstantial but argued it was nonetheless compelling they had security footage confirming Barker and Smith’s meeting at IHOP on the day of the murder exactly when Smith claimed they had discussed killing Levi Strider emphasized Barker’s inconsistent statements her lack of emotional response consistent with genuine grief and what investigators called a clearly staged crime scene at her trailer she
changed her statement based on the facts we gave her to look more credible Strider told the court that’s an indication of guilt the two women’s legal paths diverged dramatically while Smith ultimately pleaded guilty to the horrific crime admitting her role in Levi’s death Barker maintained her complete innocence she sat in the court room shaking her head in denial as the evidence was presented occasionally mouthing I love y’all to family members seated behind her throughout the proceedings Barker remained steadfast
she had no part in her son’s death nearly four years after Levi’s murder Justice finally arrived though many would question whether it was truly sufficient on July 21 2021 Felicia Smith pleaded guilty to manslaughter conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and cruelty to a juvenile she received the maximum sentence for each charge 40 years for manslaughter 30 years for conspiracy and 10 years for cruelty to be served consecutively totaling 80 years of hard labor without the possibility of probation or parole 9
months later on May 4 2022 Hannah Barker also took a plea deal but with a crucial difference Barker entered what’s known as an Alfred plea allowing her to maintain her innocence while acknowledging prosecutors had enough evidence for conviction she received 30 years for conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and 10 years for manslaughter to be served concurrently during the sentencing Cathy ellerby Levy’s paternal grandmother delivered a heart-wrenching impact statement the loss of my grandson and knowing how he was murdered has been
devastating for the past 3 years our hearts have been broken and there will always be a void in our lives because of this evil special prosecutor Clifford Strider who had spent over 40 years Prosecuting violent crimes describ the case in Stark terms in my experience Prosecuting cases throughout Louisiana this case ranks as one of the most heinous and callous acts of Cruelty I have ever seen Billy ellerby Levi’s father could only thank the First Responders for their compassion in handling his son’s case too overcome
with emotion to say more even with both perpetrators Behind Bars troubling questions linger and IND independent defense attorney revealed that with good behavior and participation in prison programs Barker could be released in as little as 6 years a sentence that seems inconceivable given the magnitude of the crime what drives a mother to allegedly orchestrate the murder of her own child was it the burden of responsibility mental illness pure callousness we may never truly know Levi’s case has changed how investigators approach infanticide
particularly in recognizing the complex dynamics of manipulative relationships as potential catalysts for violence against children the tragedy of baby Levi reminds us of the terrible vulnerability of children and the Darkness that can lurk behind ordinary facades it forces us to confront an uncomfortable truth sometimes the greatest danger to a child comes from the very person nature designed to protect them if you suspect child abuse please call the national child abuse hotline at 1 8004 a child one call could save a life
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