Child Homicide

On June 30, 2018 the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to 176 Country Lane in Clinton. Upon arrival, Deputies located a two year old child deceased in the residence. The child appeared to have been brutally beaten and had apparent injuries all over his body. During the course of the investigation it was also learned that the child had been brutally sexually molested before his death. ​The following people were arrested in relation to the murder of this innocent child. This is still an ongoing investigation and it’s still early on. We will update everyone on the official charges as soon as possible. William Ryan Looper (Mother’s Boyfriend) Jessica Blake Smith (Mother of the Child)

“These animals, who are possessed with pure evil, have no place in our society. 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.” - Sheriff Don Reynolds ​“Unfortunately I have had to work many homicide cases over the years, some of which involved children, however this by far the worst. thing I’ve ever seen. This incident brought tears to the eyes of our investigators and what these individuals did to this child is unimaginable!”  - Captain Robert Wilkie