Foster parent of 3-year-old killed in abuse case recalls child's last words during trial
TAMIA BOYD | Greenville News
A criminal trial for a former Food Network show contestant charged in the death of her 3-year-old foster child will resume Wednesday after 911 dispatch, surveillance footage, photos and revelations were disclosed in court Tuesday.
Ariel Robinson, of Simpsonville, appeared again in a packed Greenville County courtroom with Robinson's family members and biological family members of Victoria Rose Smith, the 3-year-old girl killed Jan. 14, 2021.
In attendance Tuesday were community activist Traci Fant, emergency responders and attorney Lucas Marchant who represented Jerry Robinson, Ariel Robinson's husband, who previously pleaded guilty to homicide by child abuse/aiding and abetting.
Ariel Robinson wore a patterned blouse with pink blush pants as she turned to face her family sitting in the gallery, and with a smile, she waved.
Victoria Rose Smith's body was blue
Paramedic Ken Koller with Greenville County EMS testified Tuesday that responded to Sellwood Circle to find Victoria on her back as other first responders were creating an airway for her.
He said she felt cool to touch and "cyanotic" — meaning she had bluish discoloration on her lips and her overall color showed a lack of circulation.
EMS gave Victoria cardiac epinephrine, an adrenaline drug to help the heart and increase blood flow to her body.
"There was extensive bruising on her legs. It didn't seem proper to me," Koller said.
Shortly after, Victoria was transported to Greenville Memorial. Her heartbeat never returned nor did she breath without assistance of CPR. Koller said he was not optimistic about her survival.
Dr. Jacqueline Joyce Granger at Greenville Memorial Hospital said she was astonished by Victoria's extreme bruising.
She said there were "linear patterns" on Victoria's body.
"Signs of physical abuse, we look for patterns and bruising and we immediately noticed she had linear patterns and loop patterns that appears to be an object to use to hit a child," Granger said. ""They would be excruciatingly painful."
Some of Victoria's family members wept while seated in the corner of the courtroom during Tuesday's testimony, many wearing blue ribbons attached to T-shirts.
Jerry Robinson: 'She told me she loved me'
With a hefty sigh and a weary expression, Jerry Robinson, 35, testified Tuesday morning.
Jerry Robinson said he was not truthful on Jan. 14, 2021 when Ariel Robinson blamed Victoria's 7-year-old brother for the injuries on her legs.
"I was scared. I guess I was trying to protect both sides," Jerry Robinson said on Tuesday.
Jerry Robinson said he was trying to protect Ariel Robinson.
Assistant Solicitor Christy Sustakovitch asked Jerry Robinson if their 7-year-old brother caused the bruising and with cracks in his voice, he said "no."
After being shown several photos of Victoria's bruised and limp body, Jerry Robinson began to wipe tears away from his face.
Jerry Robinson said his relationship with Victoria was great and that he was like a teddy bear with her. When it came to discipline, Ariel Robinson would be the one to discipline Victoria, he said.
"It would be that (Victoria) wasn't listening, taking too long to eat her food or took too long in the bathroom," Jerry Robinson said. ""At times, I would take a piece of her food just so she could eat faster if I saw it going down that path just to help her out,"
On Jan. 14, 2021, Jerry Robinson said he couldn't at first hear if Victoria was being beaten, but he could tell by her crying that she was. After an hour, Jerry Robinson saw the Victoria's bruising and Ariel Robinson was standing over her with a belt, he said.
"I was scared for this moment. Us being in trouble, the kids getting taken away, I was terrified," Jerry Robinson told the jury Tuesday. "She told me she loved me and I told her, "I love you, too. I promise this won't happen again."
Jerry Robinson said those were Victoria's last words.
The trial is scheduled to return to session at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. More witnesses are expected to testify throughout the week.
Tamia Boyd is a Michigan native who covers breaking news in Greenville. Email her at tboyd@gannett.com, and follow her on Twitter @tamiamb.