Simpsonville man charged with homicide by child abuse has been granted bond

TAMIA BOYD   | Greenville News

The Simpsonville man charged with homicide by child abuse in the death of a 3-year-old girl earlier this year was granted bond on Friday.

Jerry Robinson, 34, was granted a $150,000 surety bond, clearing the way for his being under house arrest with GPS monitoring pending his trial. He's to reside with his parents and have no contact with anyone under the age of 18, according to Judge Letitia Verdin.

Robinson and his wife, Ariel Robinson, 29, were charged in the death of Victoria Rose Smith, who was found unresponsive in the Robinsons' Sellwood Circle home on the afternoon of Jan. 14, according to police and the Greenville County Coroner's Office.

Ariel Robinson, who was also charged with homicide by child abuse, was denied bond in February.

Jerry Robinson said he was outside his home when he heard his wife beating Victoria with a belt on the day in January that Victoria was found unresponsive, Assistant Solicitor Christy Kednocker-Sustakovitch said during Ariel Robinson's bond hearing.

Jerry Robinson told investigators that he never hurt Victoria though his wife beat her with things such as a belt and a paddle, according to Kednocker-Sustakovitch. 

Kednocker-Sustakovitch sought to deny Jerry Robinson's bond, like Ariel Robinson's was denied. Kednocker-Sustakovitch said Jerry Robinson did not tell investigators about his wife's treatment of Victoria until he hired an attorney.

Jerry Robinson's attorney, Lucas Marchant, said Jerry deserved bond because he's cooperated with the investigation and is extremely remorseful.

Casie Phares, Victoria's biological mother, said she was disappointed that bond was granted.

She said Victoria would've celebrated her fourth birthday March 20.

"I just think as a parent you should've said something," Phares said. "It's difficult to watch, and it's unfair for my daughter."

Members of Victoria's biological family said they had asked the state Department of Social Services to care for Victoria and her two biological brothers. They have criticized the care the children received under the direction of DSS.

Phares' biological sons remain in the care of authorities.

The Robinsons' two children — one biological and one biologically Ariel's who Jerry adopted — are being cared for by Ariel's family, according to Marchant.

Tamia Boyd is a Michigan native who covers breaking news in Greenville. Email her at tboyd@gannett.com, and follow her on Twitter @tamiamb.