Court denies new trial for Food Network contestant who killed foster child

GREENVILLE, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - A former Food Network contestant who was convicted of killing her foster daughter will not get a new trial, according to the South Carolina Court of Appeals.

Ariel Robinson was found guilty of homicide by child abuse in the death of 3-year-old Victoria “Tori” Rose Smith.

Victoria Rose Smith

Tori was beaten severely with a belt, causing her to suffer internal bleeding. She died at Robinson’s home on Sellwood Circle in Simpsonville in January 2021.

Robinson’s husband testified against her in the four-day trial, and she was sentenced to life in prison.

Ariel Robinson(SC Dept. of Corrections)

Robinson’s defense team filed an appeal in Greenville County, claiming she was not given a fair trial because photographs of Tori’s injuries shown to the jurors were “highly inflammatory.” The little girl had extensive bruising all over her body.

The Court of Appeals responded in an opinion filed on Wednesday, saying the pictures were crucial to the trial because they showed the force used on the 3-year-old. Prosecutors argued they negated Robinson’s claim that the injuries could have been caused by another child or CPR performed on the girl when she became unresponsive.

“Robinson consistently told this story at the scene to first responders,” the court opinion states. “Only after the State rested its case and Robinson took the stand did she admit for the first time that [the] victim’s injuries could not have been caused by a seven-year-old child.”

The Court of Appeals affirmed the trial and sentencing for Robinson, who will remain in the Department of Corrections as she serves her life sentence.

According to prison records, Robinson has received disciplinary sanctions multiple times while behind bars including for sexual misconduct and refusing to obey orders.