Food Network Star Claims 3-Year-Old Daughter Died After Drinking Too Much Water

Ari Robinson and Jerry Robinson are shown in a booking photo. Ari appeared on Worst Cooks in America. (Credit: City of Simpsonville, SC)

Ariel Robinson, season 20 winner of Food Network’s Worst Cooks in America, stated in her bond hearing on Friday that her daughter — who she is charged with killing — died after ingesting too much water.

Fox Carolina reported Robinson, 29, appeared before a South Carolina judge in a virtual hearing. She was denied bond due to what the judge said were the nature of the charges, and she posed a potential danger to the community, as well as being a flight risk.

[Ariel Robinson is shown in the image above with her husband Jerry]

Prosecutors said Robinson told first responders her adopted daughter drank too much water and suddenly went limp. She said she then attempted to perform the Heimlich maneuver on 3-year-old Victoria Rose Smith.

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Prosecutors told the judge the toddler had bruising on her abdomen, ear and down her back, abrasions on her face, and bruising up and down both legs after her death on Jan. 14. They also said Robinson claimed the bruises on her daughter’s body were caused by her 7-year-old son. A coroner’s report said the toddler died from blunt force trauma.

Both Robinson and her husband Jerry, 34, are charged with homicide by child abuse.

As previously reported, the TV contestant and her husband were arrested last month in connection with the little girl’s death.

Police in Simpsonville, South Carolina said they responded to a call for an unresponsive juvenile victim, who was later pronounced deceased at the hospital.

Robinson frequently posted pictures of little Victoria Rose on Instagram, using the hashtags #Daughter and #AdoptionMatters.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ6slKjD1xJ/

Due to the ongoing case, the Food Network has pulled the season of Worst Cooks in America that featured Robinson competing and being crowned the winner. The competition was recorded in February 2020 and aired later in the year. Video from the season has also been removed from streaming and the network’s social media channels.

Robinson announced on her Instagram page in December 2019 that she was adopting three children, including Victoria.