HOMICIDE DECLARED
Zi’Ariel Robinson-Oliver, 9; A’Miyah Hughes, 8; and Te’Mari Robinson-Oliver, 5
Three sisters pulled from a pond off Texas Highway 77 West, outside of Atlanta, Texas in late July have had their deaths classified as a homicide, according to autopsy reports as 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.
According to definitions outlined on page 13 in the Texas Evidence Collection Protocol handbook, a ‘laceration’ is different than a ‘cut’. The TECP handbook, which can be found on the Texas Attorney General’s Website, texasattorneygeneral.gov, uses the word ‘laceration’ synonymously with ‘tear’. TECP describes a laceration as an injury caused when “skin is broken and disrupted by blunt force such as tearing, ripping, crushing, overstretching, pulling apart, over-bending, or shearing of tissue” The three girls were reported missing at about 9:00 p.m. on July 29, 2022.
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. 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 recommends that those with information contact Texas Ranger Josh Mason at (903) 255-5727.
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. Rowe has not commented on the case since the investigation was turned over to Texas Rangers.
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 was 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.”
A GoFundMe for the girls was set up to help with funeral costs and other related expenses were set up by the mother, of which the description said: “On July 29, 2022, my three kids Zi’Ariel Robinson Oliver & A’Miyah Hughes & Te’Mari Robinson Oliver went missing around 8 pm their body was found side by side at around 2 am July 30, 2022, in a pond. This was so unexpected(ed) and a big hurt and shock to myself and my family. We are now asking for help to lay my sweet angels to rest. Whatever you can donate will be appreciated,” At the time this article was written, $18,281.00 USD had been raised so far.
This is still an active investigation. As more information is released, the Journal-Sun will update the story.
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.”
Anyone with information on the homicides of these three little girls is encouraged to contact authorities.