GREENVILLE, SC (AP) — The winner of a Meals Community cooking present competitors has been discovered responsible within the beating loss of life final 12 months of a 3-year-old foster youngster in her care.
The jury deliberated for about an hour earlier than delivering the unanimous verdict on Thursday in opposition to Ariel Robinson, 30, of Simpsonville, information retailers reported.
She made no remark earlier than Decide Letitia Verdin sentenced her to life in jail on a cost of murder by youngster abuse.
“In my 13-14 years as a decide, I’ve by no means seen something like this,” Verdin mentioned. “Not even approaching it.”
Verdin acknowledged Robinson’s lawyer’s assertion that his shopper snapped however requested, “Why let this youngster endure?”
Victoria “Tori” Smith died Jan. 14, 2021, in Robinson’s residence after struggling blows to her legs and stomach as a result of she didn’t eat her pancakes quick sufficient. The kid died from blunt pressure accidents and inside bleeding, officers mentioned.
Robinson was the winner of Season 20 of “Worst Cooks in America” on Meals Community.
The kid’s organic household cried and hugged each other after court docket was dismissed. “Reward God,” mentioned Vickie Phres, the toddler’s organic great-grandmother. “Justice was served for our child.”
Robinson and her husband, Austin Robinson, had custody of the little woman and her two older organic brothers for 10 months and had been scheduled to undertake them the week after Victoria died.
Austin Robinson pleaded responsible to aiding and abetting murder by youngster abuse final month. He faces as much as 20 years in jail. A sentencing date has not been scheduled.
He testified that his spouse beat the kid with a belt. Medical proof confirmed she died when blood pooled in her physique and couldn’t get to her mind.
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