How Could You? Hall of Shame-Arianna Smith case-Child Death

This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.

From Louisville, Kentucky, teenage foster child Arianna Smith was shot and killed on February 12, 2021.

“Her accused shooter is charged with manslaughter.

The family of 13-year-old Arianna Smith told WAVE 3 News they’ve been asking themselves why this happened to their little girl. One of the teen’s relatives said her death hurts even more because despite her young age, she overcame a lot of obstacles with her little brother by her side.

A foster family was supposed to adopt both Smith and her brother, Rickey, 11, but her family said the teen ran off, leaving to stay at a home they deemed to be “nothing but trouble.”

A couple of weeks later, first responders rushed to that very home on Elane Drive trying to save Smith’s life after she was shot.

“It’s sad because this is a child! They had their whole life in front of them, and we’re burying another child,” Louisville Metro Police Department Chief Erika Shields said the night of Smith’s death.

Arianna and Rickey’s biological parents have not been in their lives, their family members told WAVE 3 News. Their mom has struggled with addiction. The kids’ grandmother died of an overdose the day after their uncle was killed in a shooting two years ago.

According to family members, despite being in prison, the children’s father had been attending parenting classes with hopes of being there for them when he is released.

The family said Smith is considered a ward of the state because she was in the foster care system. They’re waiting for the state to release her body so they can make funeral arrangements.

Smith’s suspected shooter is only 15 years old.

“You have a 13-year-old who is shot and killed,” Shields said. “That was not the purpose of the guns. Something went wrong, someone was an irresponsible gun owner. Certainly, at a minimum.””

Family of girl in foster care shot, killed still waiting for state to release body
[Wave 2/17/21 by Jerrica Valtierra]

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