LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – The parents of a 2-year-old found dead in a dumpster in June were indicted by a grand jury in his death.
Diaja Smith, 23, and Jacoby Robinson Sr., 24, were both indicted on murder and child abuse charges in the death of Jacoby Robinson Jr. who was found dead in a dumpster near downtown Las Vegas on June 6. The child was previously reported missing before his body was found hours later.
Jurors were shown video where Smith reportedly put two of her children in a stroller with her youngest child strapped to her chest and walked to a nearby dumpster. Transcripts said the dumpster was out of frame, but that you can hear an audible “thud” and see Smith return with only two of her children.
Police believe Jacoby Robinson Jr. was dead when he was placed in the stroller.
FOSTER FAMILY CARE
According to Grand Jury documents, Smith’s three children were in the care of a foster family up until two months prior to the toddler’s death. According to investigators, the children appeared to be uninjured until they were back in Smith’s care.
The children were returned to Smith on April 1 and Child Protective Services were no longer required to check in with the family as of May 14. The toddler was found dead only three weeks later.
An investigator with Child Protective Services said at least one of Smith’s children was found with several injuries in varying degrees of healing.
Robinson Sr. told police that while he didn’t believe in “whooping” his kids, he had encouraged Smith to “whoop” them, according to Grand Jury transcripts.
PLAN TO LEAVE
According to investigators, Robinson Sr. had also planned to leave town immediately following the toddler’s death.
A search warrant of Robinson Sr.’s phone showed he looked up instructions on how to perform CPR at about 12:45 p.m. June 6. Shortly after, Robinson Sr. then searched for bus tickets between Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Then investigators said Robinson Sr. messaged Smith’s mother, asking if she could take them to L.A.
Robinson Sr. and Smith have an arraignment hearing scheduled for Wednesday morning.
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