Update on three slain girls

It has been one year since three sisters pulled from a pond off Texas Highway 77. Zi’Ariel Robinson-Oliver, 9, A’Miyah Hughes, 8, and Te’Mari Robinson-Oliver, 5, were found side by side on July 30, 2022. At the time there was no official release of foul play but was presumed by some to be an accidental drowning. That changed when on March 23 in a press release County Attorney Courtney Shelton issued a release that the case was being treated as a homicide. A balloon release was held in honor of the three missing sisters on Saturday, July 29.

The three young girls were first reported missing at about 9:00 p.m. on July 29, 2022. In a recent report from KSLA, neighbor Josephine Webster came forward with new details, According to the article Josephine, remembers driving home and being “approached by a man who had been living at the home with the children and their mom, Shammaonique Oliver-Wickerson.”

“I gave him my house phone and he called the mom and told her the girls hadn’t showed up,” Josephine said.

At the time, “law enforcement and volunteers searched the area. Nearly five hours later in the early morning hours, their bodies were found by divers in a pond that borders their property and for the first time.

One year later, the owner of this pond allowed KSLA access to the pond.

“They would have to get in there through there with the horse to go down to the pond,” Josephine said.

“Just something about it just didn’t seem right,” said Aberney Webster Jr., a neighbor.

Cass County Attorney Courtney Shelton recently told the Journal-Sun that she had nothing at this time to report. County Sheriff Larry Rowe told KSLA that “this is a very active investigation” however, he wouldn’t elaborate on details.

The last report from Shelton noted that according to autopsy reports the case was described by Cass County District Attorney Courtney Shelton.

“Autopsy reports concluded the manner of death for all three girls was homicide, indicating evidence of strangulation,” Shelton said. All three girls also suffered “lacerations” to their faces, she added.

Shelton said they were reported missing by their male cousin, Paris Propps, who Shelton said was responsible for the girls’ care at the time.

The mother of the girls was working, and the girls’ three other siblings were located inside the home unharmed, according to authorities.

“Multiple witness statements have been obtained, DNA testing is ongoing, and the investigation will continue,” Shelton said in a news release Thursday. It is unclear if one of those witnesses was Webster.

Shelton said the Cass County DA’s Office, along with the Sheriff ’s Office and Texas Rangers are seeking any new information that could lead to an arrest in this case.

Shelton recommended at the time that those with information contact Texas Ranger Josh Mason. The Journal- Sun was told on August 10, 2022 from DPS that all of their evidence had been turned over to the attorney’s office, to contact the Cass County District Attorney’s office if the public had any more information to share.

At 12:45 a.m. July 30, 2022, Game Warden Shawn Hervey said that Game Wardens with Texas Parks and Wildlife, along with Cass County Sheriff ’s Office and Smith County’s Emergency Services District (ESD2) were actively searching for the girls around the private pond on State Highway 77.

All three children were recovered from the private pond at 2:03 a.m.--a little over an hour after the search near the pond started and five hours after their cousin/babysitter reported them as missing.

At first, the female victims–aged 5,8, and 9– were reported as accidental drowning.

According to Hervey, they were led to find the girls at the pond after finding clothes by the pond. When the clothes were found, Sheriff Larry Rowe said a dive team was called in to search the water, where the girls were ultimately recovered.

“We have no idea what the girls were doing there,” Rowe told news outlets at the time.

Bre Oliver (Shommaonique Oliver), 28, and mother of the children announced on Facebook, “My heart it hurt so bad because my babies are gone to be with the lord & I know everyone has a role on earth but their roles were too short. They had a long life ahead of them, and now they will never get to grow up into the young ladies I know they were going to be,” she wrote. “Just know mama love you no matter what, say hi to grannies for me. it’s not goodbye it’s see you later my sweet angles.”

Atlanta ISD superintendent Jason Harris had this to say concerning the incident after it was announced at the time, “Atlanta Independent School District extends our sincerest condolences and sympathies to the family of the three students we lost over the weekend. Zi’Ariel, A’Miyah and Te’Mari were all students at Atlanta Primary School. We are keeping this family in our prayers and lending our support in these difficult days ahead. As our community copes with this tremendous loss, we have made counseling services available to students and staff at each campus and encourage those who need support to reach out for assistance.” On Saturday a balloon release was held in honor of the three sisters. Additionally, a BBQ and get-together was held.

This is still an active investigation. As more information is released, the Journal-Sun will update the story.