Man Receives Life in Prison for Horrific Killing of 2-Year-Old He Abused for Weeks
A South Carolina man was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to murder and other charges related to the death of a 2-year-old boy, the Associated Press reported.
William Looper, 30, told investigators that he beat and abused Brantley Justin Smith for two weeks but could not explain why, Solicitor David Stumbo said.
The toddler was found with bruises and bite marks across his body, as well as signs of sexual abuse. When paramedics entered the home in Laurens in June of 2018, a dog beside the body would not let anyone approach, the Index-Journal of Greenwood reported.
Looper had access to the boy because he had been dating his mother, 30-year-old Jessica Blake Smith, for several weeks at the time. She was working at Walmart when her son died, and she was not in the house when most of the abuse took place, Stumbo said.
The mother, whose case is pending, is facing charges of homicide by child abuse and two counts of unlawful neglect of a child.
Looper's guilty plea covered charges of murder, first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor and two counts of unlawful neglect of a child. Prosecutors agreed not to pursue the death penalty in favor of a life sentence without parole as part of the deal.
Looper said he was sorry for his actions while addressing the judge in court but acknowledged that an apology would not suffice, the Index-Journal reported.
"I can't say enough to make it right, that will never be possible, but I do apologize sincerely from my heart for the hell that I caused them and drove their family through," he said.
For more reporting from the Associated Press, see below.
The boy's 6-year-old and 8-year-old brothers told investigators they heard their brother's screams all through the night when he was killed, Stumbo said.
Stumbo said he still thinks Looper should die for his crimes, but he accepted a plea deal because Looper offered to testify against his father, whom investigators have recently determined abused Looper and his brothers when they were children.
"A negotiated life sentence will provide a unique opportunity to pursue a more complete justice for this family and our community," Stumbo said.
William Harold Looper III, 51, was arrested Monday and charged with second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor, three counts of unlawful neglect of a child, a charge of committing or attempting a lewd act on a child, buggery and three counts of disseminating harmful material to minors. It wasn't known if he had a lawyer.
Laurens County deputies released no details about the charges and Stumbo said he couldn't give more information about the elder Looper's charges because he is prosecuting that case, too.
A family friend of the boy's grandparents said his brothers are getting intensive therapy after the death and their mother's arrest.
"We have no idea the horrors that Bobby and Brian endured and witnessed in their own home, but we know that they will never be the same after what they had to see and endure," Diane Smith said as she read the family's statement.
The abuse in this case was some of the most horrific deputies and prosecutors said they have even seen. Several sought counseling, Laurens County Sheriff Don Reynolds said.
"All too often, they deal with the worst of the worst," Reynolds said. "They have to put their emotions in their pockets."
