South Carolina foster mom convicted of killing three-year-old daughter

GREENVILLE, S.C. (WSPA) – A Simpsonville lady has been discovered responsible of murder by little one abuse. It didn’t even take the jury an hour and a half to come back to a responsible verdict for Ariel Robinson.

“You’ll agree since you noticed the photographs that Victoria was crushed to the pulp,” requested Assistant Solicitor Thursday, Christy Sustakovitch.

“I’d agree with that,” Ariel Robinson responded.

It comes simply hours after she took the stand in her personal trial.

She has been convicted of abusing her then three-year-old foster daughter, Victoria Smith in her Simpsonville house, to dying in 2021.

After three days of testimony from regulation enforcement, medical professionals, the defendant’s husband and other people near their household, she disputed a few of what was placed on document.

When emergency crews acquired to Robinson’s house on the day Smith died, they discovered her lifeless on the ground in a situation some have testified as to the sickest of sick.

“That is in depth, depending on a baby’s physique that was inflicted repetitively by blunt power trauma which is the worst I’ve seen,” Dr. Christina Goben mentioned whereas giving testimony this week.

Robinson’s husband, Jerry Austin Robinson mentioned Ariel used a belt and beat Smith shortly earlier than she died. Robinson initially mentioned among the accidents on Smith’s physique got here from herself, doing CPR incorrect. Different bruises, she blamed on Smith’s brother.

“Do you imagine you triggered the bruising on her abdomen from CPR,” requested Robinson’s Lawyer, William Bouton.

“No,” Robinson replied.

Robinson ended up telling the courtroom although, she now believes these bruises acquired there one other manner.

“It’s both you or Austin, right?,” requested Sustakovitch.

“I’d say so,” Robinson replied.

The prosecution mentioned the proof, on this case, is overwhelming.

Earlier than jurors got here to a verdict, the protection mentioned the case comes right down to credibility.

“It’s he mentioned, she mentioned. Who do you imagine? Austin or Ariel? I believe we are able to admit the proof does present one in all these two folks dedicated this crime,” Bouton instructed the jurors Thursday afternoon.

The household of Victoria Smith instructed 7NEWS, that is the result they’ve been hoping and praying for.

“We had been simply right here as illustration for Victoria and to know that she was beloved, that is the result we needed,” Michelle Urps mentioned.

Robinson has been sentenced to life in jail.

Smith’s household mentioned this is only one step in the direction of getting nearer to justice for this younger woman. They’re hoping Ariel’s husband, Jerry Austin who has pleaded responsible to aiding and abetting on this crime can even get the utmost sentence.

No phrase proper now on a sentencing date for him. The cost he pleaded responsible to carries a ten to 20-year jail sentence.