Almost a month after Victoria Rose Smith, 3, was killed in Simpsonville, South Carolina, police released some 911 audios in the murder case that shocked both the interior of the state and the nation.
On Monday, FITSNews obtained the 911 audio from the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office through a Freedom of Information Act request.
Although the 911 call is canceled, it provides some more information in the case against the “Worst Cooks in America” star Ariel Shnise Robinson, 29 and 34 years old Jerry Austin Robinson – who were charged with child abuse homicide five days after the death of their adopted daughter.
On January 14, 2021, Victoria Rose Smith’s adoptive father, Jerry Austin Robinson, called 911 around 2pm
“We have an emergency, our daughter doesn’t respond,” Jerry Austin Robinson told the dispatch.
He said his daughter drank a lot of water and they were trying to CPR her. The dispatcher then transferred the call to EMS and Robinson remained on the line.
“Our 3-year-old daughter is suffocating with water now,” said Jerry Robinson to EMS 911. “We need help right away.”
Click below to hear the call to 911… ..
The information on the 911 call is significant because Victoria’s cause of death was blunt trauma, according to the coroner’s report.
Ariel Robinson later told the police that a 911 dispatcher said to move (Victoria) to the ground and start CPR, which she said she did. According to Ariel’s podcast, she was certified in children’s CPR.
The Simpsonville Fire Department was dispatched for the first time at 2:16 pm and they arrived at the house three minutes later. EMS arrived around 2:25 pm
Victoria was immediately rushed to the hospital by the first respondents, according to the heavily written police report.
It appears that early respondents quickly detected child abuse, according to the incident report.
*****
*****
The fire department called the police department for child abuse / assault with aggravating and emergency protection custody at 2:25 pm.
FITSNews has submitted several audio requests for police 911 in this case, but has not received an official response.
In the police report, it appears that Ariel Robinson told the police that something happened the day before that was related to Victoria.
Victoria Rose Smith was pronounced dead in the hospital on January 14, hours after her adoptive father called 911.
The case was investigated by the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED), which is the protocol of South Carolina law on the unexpected death of a child.
Ariel and Jerry Robinson are accused of “inflicting a series of blunt injuries” that caused the death of Victoria Rose Smith on January 14, according to arrest warrants in the case.
Ariel and Jerry Robinson were initially denied bail.
Last week, Ariel and Jerry Robinson hired different lawyers and asked for bail.
Ariel Robinson’s lawyer argued that she has a clean criminal record, is a lifelong resident in South Carolina and has a master’s degree from Clemson University. She was a public school teacher until 2019, wrote the lawyer.
Ariel and Jerry Robinson will have separate title hearings on February 12.
Days after she was charged with child abuse homicide, the South Carolina State Board of Education issued a summary suspension order against Ariel Robinson – which means that even if she received the title, she could not teach in the state.
Victoria’s Biological Family
Victoria Rose Smith, along with her two older biological brothers, was adopted by the Robinson family in March.
Last week, Victoria’s biological family and former adoptive parents held a small funeral for the 3-year-old, who was buried in Travelers Rest, South Carolina.
Since his death, Smith’s biological family has publicly pressed for reform of the South Carolina Department of Social Services (SCDSS).
More than 25,000 people signed a petition asking state lawmakers to reform the SCDSS – an agency marked by scandals and whose shortcomings are now in the national spotlight.
Last week, Victoria’s birth mother Casie Phares she said she never abused her children, but was intimidated by the SCDSS. Phares was first signaled by the SCDSS when she tested positive for marijuana during Victoria’s pregnancy.
After Victoria tested positive as a newborn, Victoria’s biological aunt said that “things just went off from there.”
According to the SCDSS Office of Child Fatalities, more than 20 SC children die each year due to mistreatment by a caregiver.
Who is Ariel Robinson?
Ariel Robinson is best known for winning the 20th season of “Worst Cooks in America” on the Food Network in August. According to her website, Ariel was an elementary school teacher trying to become a comedian, radio presenter and TV personality.
“How she does everything, we will never know!” Ariel’s website says. “Just get ready for a roller coaster ride you don’t want to leave!”
His life as a comic book and mother was widely documented on his Facebook, Instagram, Youtube and Twitter pages where she often referred to herself as a mother of five.
Ariel Robinson had a podcast with her husband, where the two spoke frankly about emotionally charged topics such as depression, racism and even murder.
In an episode that aired in November this year, Ariel Robinson said she was no longer suicidal and said that she did not think she wanted to hurt others, because she likes her “freedom”.
She talked about being angry inside her.
“This is the first year that I pray literally and specifically to God ‘can you just let the rapture happen?'” Said Ariel Robinson. “I literally hate it here. I literally hate this land. “
From what we’ve collected so far, Ariel Robinson had no criminal record.
As a comedian, Ariel Robinson joked casually about threatening to punch his son in the throat while social workers visited his home during the adoption process.
South Carolina Department of Social Services (SCDSS) officials told FITSNews that they are aware of the incident and are investigating the case with authorities.
“Standard agency procedures in a case like this involve taking appropriate action with any child who remains at home after a safety and risk assessment,” said the SCDSS in a statement.
We will continue to report this case in the near future. Stay tuned for developments …
To report child abuse in South Carolina, call 1-888-CARE-4-US or use this online portal.
*****
ABOUT THE AUTHOR …
Mandy Matney is the news director at FITSNews. She is an award-winning Kansas journalist who worked for newspapers in Missouri, Illinois and South Carolina before moving to FITS. She currently lives on Hilton Head Island, where she enjoys life on the beach. Do you want to contact Mandy? Send your ideas, comments, suggestions and tips for stories to [email protected].
*****
WANT TO TURN OFF THE SOUND?
Is there anything you would like to say in response to one of our stories? We have an open mic policy! Send your own letter to the editor (or guest column) by email HERE. Do you have a tip for a story? CLICK HERE. Have a technical question or failure to report? CLICK HERE.