A sleepover took a terrifying turn in Burlington, Vermont, when a 10-year-old girl allegedly witnessed her father violently attacking her mother and begged him to stop, according to investigators.
Bal Khadka, 44, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of his wife, Lila Darjee Khadka, along with three counts of cruelty to children. Authorities allege that he repeatedly struck his wife with a large flashlight while children were inside the apartment.
The incident happened early Saturday morning, October 10, 2026, at an apartment on South Champlain Street. Police received multiple emergency calls reporting a fight in progress and requesting medical assistance.
Officers arrived shortly before 6 a.m. and found Lila Khadka unresponsive in bed, suffering from serious head injuries. Emergency responders transported her to the University of Vermont Medical Center, where she initially remained in critical condition.
She died at the hospital on Sunday, October 11, according to police. Investigators subsequently updated the case to reflect the second-degree murder charge.
A Child’s Pleas and a Desperate Escape
According to an arrest affidavit, three children witnessed the alleged assault, and one reportedly recorded part of the incident.
The recording captured a young girl crying out, “Dad, no,” as she pleaded with her father to stop, investigators reportedly wrote.
The girl later told officers that she and a friend had been having a sleepover when they saw the alleged attack. The children managed to escape the apartment through a window.
When police arrived, they found the girl outside the building, crying and visibly distressed. Her account became part of the investigation into what had happened inside the home.
The circumstances described in the affidavit highlight the frightening position the children were allegedly placed in during the incident. Instead of feeling safe at home during a sleepover, they were confronted with a violent emergency and had to find a way out.
Police have not publicly identified the children, and details about their current circumstances have not been released.
Police Say a Flashlight Was Used in the Attack
Investigators allege that Khadka repeatedly struck his wife with a large black-and-green flashlight.
According to the affidavit, officers later located the flashlight inside a bedroom dresser drawer.
The affidavit also described Khadka’s behavior when officers encountered him. He reportedly greeted police in a low voice while attempting to put shoes on a young child, appearing to act as though nothing unusual had happened.
During a subsequent interview with investigators, Khadka allegedly appeared expressionless and showed little visible reaction to the incident, according to the affidavit.
These descriptions are allegations documented by investigators and do not establish guilt. Khadka faces criminal charges, and the case must proceed through the court system.
Earlier Domestic Violence Case Resurfaces
The investigation has also brought attention to an earlier domestic violence case involving the couple.
According to the information reported in court records, Khadka was arrested in 2020 on an aggravated domestic assault charge involving his wife. Prosecutors later dismissed that case after Lila Khadka declined to testify.
The earlier case does not establish responsibility for the current allegations, but it has raised questions about the couple’s previous interactions with the criminal justice system.
Domestic violence cases can be particularly difficult to investigate when a victim is unable or unwilling to participate in court proceedings. A decision not to testify can have several explanations, and it should not automatically be interpreted as evidence that an earlier allegation was false.
In the current case, investigators are examining the events that led to Lila Khadka’s death, including the children’s accounts and the physical evidence recovered from the apartment.
Suspect Held Without Bail as Case Moves Forward
Following his arrest, Bal Khadka was taken into custody and lodged at the Northwest State Correctional Facility. Police said he was ordered held without bail.
The Burlington Police Department has described the case as an active investigation and has asked anyone with relevant information to contact Detective Erica Schaller at 802-540-2282.
Khadka is charged with second-degree murder and three counts of cruelty to children. The charges are allegations, and the available public information does not establish a final court outcome.
For the children who witnessed the alleged violence, the incident may have consequences long after the immediate emergency ended. Exposure to violence involving a parent can be deeply distressing, particularly when children feel they must intervene or escape to protect themselves.
Lila Khadka’s death has left a family facing a devastating loss while investigators continue working to establish the full circumstances of the case.
As the legal process moves forward, the focus remains on the evidence, the allegations against Khadka and the children whose accounts have become a significant part of the investigation.
