'Pure evil' mother and boyfriend arrested in death of 2-year-old son

July 05, 2018 | by Ksenia Novikova

Jessica Blake Smith and her boyfriend William Ryan Looper were both arrested following the brutal murder of Smith’s 2-year-old son, who was said to have been molested and beaten.

According to Laurens County Sheriff’s Office investigators, the couple was accused of sexually molesting and brutally pounding the toddler named Brantley Smith.

The deputies revealed they received a call on the morning of June 30th to respond to Country Lane in Clinton.

Upon arrival, they discovered the child, unconscious and filled with injuries all over his body.

Deputies also stated that before his death, the child was “brutally sexually molested.”

#BREAKING Deputies have charged two people in the death of a 2-year-old in Laurens County: William Ryan Looper and 27-year-old Jessica Blake Smith, both of 176 Country Lane in Clinton.

See their charges: https://t.co/SId3SxycpN pic.twitter.com/pu2oLz7cEY
— Index-Journal (@ijindexjournal) June 30, 2018

Sheriff Don Reynolds spoke with WYFF News 4 and exclaimed the couple was “possessed with pure evil”

“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,” he added.

As for Capt. Robert Wilkie, he said that this particular homicide case was the worst he has ever seen.

Even investigators were brought to tears when they saw the situation. They couldn’t fathom what the couple did to the young child.

A group of people consisting of friends, neighbors, and loved ones from Brantley’s father’s side showed up at the Laurens County Sheriff's Office on July 1sr to pay their respects.

Coroner releases cause of death for slain 2-year-old; sheriff says couple 'possessed with pure evil' https://t.co/PN1GnSGSNp
— Deborah Cox (@OhRebelAngel) July 2, 2018

Brantley’s father, Justin Smith, held back his tears as he spoke with the news outlet. He said he is having a hard time processing his grief.

"It's real warming to see all the family and all my friends here. But it's still hard to come out and talk to anyone about what happened. Not much can be said after you lose a child," he said.

As for the mother and her boyfriend, both are facing multiple charges.

Looper is facing murder charges, as well as criminal sexual conduct with a minor, and two counts of unlawful conduct toward a child.

Jessica was charged with homicide by child abuse and two counts of unlawful conduct toward a child.

According to the deputies, they also found two other children inside the home during their investigation.