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SIMPSONVILLE, S.C. —
Food Network star Ariel Robinson and her husband were in court Thursday.
Robinson and her husband Jerry “Austin” Robinson are both charged with the January 2021 death of their 3-year-old foster daughter Victoria “Tori” Smith.
Smith was found unresponsive at the family’s home in the Westwood subdivision of Simpsonville on Jan. 14, 2021, and died at the hospital. According to arrest warrants, the Robinsons inflicted a “series of blunt force injuries” to Tori. Tori died of internal bleeding, specifically in the area of her legs.
In court on Thursday Austin Robinson pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting homicide by child abuse. Austin Robinson will continue to remain out on bond and under house arrest. He faces 10 to 20 years behind bars.
He testified that Ariel Robinson beat Tori to death because she was frustrated with her. He said he walked in to see her holding a belt.
“I said you’ve gone too far. You’ve gone too far this time,” Austin Robinson testified.
Prosecutors said Austin Robinson called police that afternoon.
Ariel Robinson had originally told authorities that Tori’s brother had anger issues and beat Tori, which lead to her death.
