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Simpsonville, SC – Former “Worst Cooks in America” winner Ariel Robinson has been sentenced to life in prison for the horrific beating death of her three-year-old foster daughter, Victoria Smith. The case, which shocked the community and made national headlines, concluded with Robinson’s conviction on homicide by child abuse charges.
The tragic events unfolded in January 2021. According to testimony, Robinson brought Victoria to church where the child vomited on her dress.
Witnesses reported seeing Robinson rinsing the dress and making callous remarks about Victoria’s tendency to overeat. The following day, Victoria was found unresponsive in her bedroom.
First responders discovered extensive bruising on the child’s body. Robinson initially attributed the injuries to CPR attempts and later blamed one of Victoria’s brothers.
However, an autopsy revealed the devastating truth: Victoria died from blunt force trauma and internal bleeding caused by a brutal beating. Robinson’s husband, Jerry Robinson, testified that his wife had inflicted the fatal injuries after becoming enraged by Victoria’s slow eating habits. He admitted to witnessing the abuse and failing to intervene.
Throughout the trial, harrowing details emerged, painting a grim picture of abuse. Jerry Robinson testified that his wife frequently lost her temper and physically disciplined Victoria with a wooden paddle and belts. He recounted how, on the morning of Victoria’s death, Robinson beat the child for an extended period after becoming frustrated with her eating.
Ariel Robinson took the stand in her own defense, tearfully describing Victoria as a “perfect child” and denying responsibility for her death. She attempted to shift blame to both her husband and Victoria’s biological brother, alleging anger issues. However, the prosecution presented compelling evidence of Robinson’s culpability, and the jury ultimately delivered a guilty verdict.
The judge, expressing shock at the brutality of the crime, sentenced Robinson to life imprisonment. Jerry Robinson, who pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting homicide by child abuse, received a 20-year sentence. He expressed remorse and apologized to Victoria’s biological family during his sentencing hearing.
Victoria’s biological family has criticized social workers for failing to detect the abuse, alleging they reported visible bruises seen in photos on social media but no action was taken. They are now advocating for reforms in the foster care system, including improved screening processes for prospective foster parents. The case serves as a tragic reminder of the vulnerability of children in foster care and the urgent need for vigilance and accountability to protect them.