‘Worst Cooks in America’ Winner Found Guilty in Beating Death of 3-Year-Old Foster Child
Ariel Robinson, the winner of Season 20 of Food Network’s “Worst Cooks in America,” was found guilty of homicide by child abuse in the beating death of her 3-year-old foster daughter and sentenced to life in prison.
A Greenville County, South Carolina jury convicted Robinson in the January 14, 2021, death of Victoria Smith. Judge Letitia H. Verdin handed down the life sentence on May 12, 2022, describing the case as one of the most severe she had seen in her years on the bench.
“I can say that in my 13, 14 years of being a judge I’ve never seen anything like this. Not even approaching it,” Verdin said. She noted that even if Robinson had “snapped” in the moment, the child was left to suffer without medical attention as she lay dying in her bedroom.
Details of the Case
Robinson and her husband, Jerry Austin Robinson, were accused of inflicting a series of blunt force injuries on Victoria. The child died at a hospital. Both were arrested in January 2021 and charged with homicide by child abuse.
Jerry Robinson later pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting homicide by child abuse. His attorney stated that he was “extremely remorseful,” had accepted responsibility for his inaction, and had cooperated with law enforcement.
During her trial, Ariel Robinson denied causing the fatal injuries and claimed her husband must have beaten the child. She testified that she left the home the night before to buy groceries and that Victoria went limp after breakfast the next morning. Prosecutors argued the evidence showed Ariel was responsible for the beating.
Background
Ariel Robinson appeared on and won the 2020 season of “Worst Cooks in America,” a competition series that trains amateur cooks. After her arrest, the season was removed from Discovery platforms.
The case drew national attention due to Robinson’s television appearance and the severe nature of the abuse that led to the young girl’s death. Jerry Robinson’s sentencing had not yet been scheduled at the time of Ariel’s conviction.
Main Sources: NBC News, WYFF, and court records.
