'Pure evil': SC woman, boyfriend charged in 2-year-old boy's death

CLINTON, S.C. — Authorities in South Carolina have charged a woman and her boyfriend in the death of her 2-year-old son, a case which the sheriff says is the worst he's seen.

News outlets report the Laurens County Sheriff's Office filed multiple charges against Jessica Blake Smith, including homicide by child abuse. Murder and other charges were also filed against her boyfriend, William Ryan Looper.

A news release from the sheriff's office said the child was found inside a residence in Clinton Saturday and appeared to have been brutally beaten and sexually molested. Officials said there was evidence of injuries all over the child's body.

“Unfortunately I have had to work many homicide cases over the years, some of which involved children, however this (is) by far the worst thing I’ve ever seen,” Capt. Robert Wilkie said. “This incident brought tears to the eyes of our investigators and what these individuals did to this child is unimaginable.”

“These animals, who are possessed with pure evil, have no place in our society,” Sheriff Don Reynolds said. “There is no rehabilitation for people this evil. I’m sure God has a place for these broken individuals, as he does for these precious children.”

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Associated Press