The tragic story of the 3-year-old girl in Simpsonville, South Carolina, beaten to death, is causing shock waves in Upstate.
Jerry Austin Robinson, 34, and Ariel Robinson were both charged with child abuse homicide in the death on January 14 of their adopted daughter Victoria “Tori” Rose Smith, according to a statement from the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED).
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’ll never know!” Ariel’s website says. “Just get ready for a roller coaster ride you don’t want to leave!”
Ariel Robinson had a podcast with her husband, who was also arrested for child abuse homicide.
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
On her Facebook page, she shared several photos of her adopted daughter named Tori (short for Victoria).
According to a Greenville News story, Ariel and Jerry Robinson adopted three children – two boys and one girl – in March 2020.
She announced news of adoption adoption on Facebook in December 2019.
Ariel Robinson’s Facebook and Instagram pages show dozens of photos of Tori, 3, in the last year of her life.
Ariel Robinson would use the hashtag #adoption and #adoptionmatters alongside the photos of Tori and her two brothers.
Facebook comments show family friends in shock after news of Tori’s murder and his parents’ arrest.
A woman on Facebook said her daughter was Tori’s foster mother before the Robinsons adopted her.
“She was the sweetest and most loving child,” she wrote. “She had the best personality. She was so witty and made us laugh all the time … We were happy for her, because she could finally be with her two brothers and have a permanent home (even though she could have one before she was taken to be with this family) . I am so sad that I have no words. “
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What happened?
The police released few details about the case, which was investigated by SLED.
Simpsonville police were called to the Robinson home around 2:25 pm, after a child did not respond, according to several media reports.
The child – Victoria “Tori” Rose Smith – was taken to the hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Ariel and Jerry Robinson are accused of “inflicting a series of blunt injuries” that caused Tori Robinson’s death on January 14, according to arrest warrants in the case (Watch below)
HOMICIDE 2
The couple was responsible for the child’s care and well-being at the time of the incident, arrest warrants say.
Ariel and Jerry Austin Robinson were taken to the Greenville County Detention Center. They were not given bail, according to arrest records.
The 13th Prosecutor’s Office will process the case.
Since the death of her daughter, Ariel, who used to post several times a day, has stopped posting on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. However, her YouTube channel posted the following video on Friday, the day after her daughter’s death.
Ariel Robinson’s social media accounts were destroyed by people angry at the death of the 3-year-old boy.
“The baby was better off in the system … did you two adopt and kill her? Disgusting, ”commented one person on YouTube.
Authorities have not released further details about the case. 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 hope to bring more details to this case in the future. Stay tuned.
To report child abuse in South Carolina, call 1-888-CARE-4-US or use this online portal.
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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 story ideas, comments, suggestions and tips to [email protected].
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