Ariel Robinson's surprise announcement that she will take the stand in the homicide-by-child-abuse trial followed a day of wrenching prosecution testimony about her foster daughter's fatal injuries.
The onetime Food Network star is likely to face vigorous cross-examination on her claims that the toddler's bruises resulted from attempts to apply the Heimlich Manuever. Which she says was used to revive the toddler from injuries she told investigators had been caused by another foster child, a seven year old boy.
However, a hospital ICU pediatrician and the county's chief medical examiner told jurors Tori Smith suffered repetitive blunt force trauma so severe torn muscles and blood vessels caused massive and fatal internal bleeding. The doctor called it the worst she'd ever seen, the medical examiner adding that the pattern indicated beating with a belt, the punishment Robinson's husband says his wife had inflicted on the little girl for not finishing her breakfast.