Interview with mother of toddler allegedly killed by boyfriend

Tinnell Smith allegedly beat toddler to death. 

23-year-old Tinnell Smith shared an apartment with his girlfriend and two small children on the 4200 block of South Calumet Avenue.

According to Smith's Facebook page, he was excited about being a brand new father and in his own words, he was "giving love a try".

But, on Sunday, June 26, 2011, something went horribly wrong.

Police say Tinnell Smith beat his girlfriend's 18-month-old son, Adonis Bright, to death, while the child's mother was at the store.

According to investigators, Bright's mother came home to discover her boyfriend wiping blood off her son.

Little Adonis was pronounced dead at University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital.

Medical findings indicated Adonis Bright was not only beaten to death, he may have been the victim of repeated physical abuse.

Adonis Bright, beaten to death. 

Initially, Smith told investigators little Adonis' injuries were the result of a fall from his crib, but Smith later stated he attacked the 18-month-old boy out of anger, said reports.

Adding to the horrific circumstances surrounding the toddler's death, Adonis Bright's mother, Jacqueline, has been the subject of at least two child abuse investigations.

One case was ruled unfounded and the other remains open.

Over the last two days, I conducted an interview with little Adonis' mother. Here's part of our conversation.

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Chicago News Report: First, I am sorry for your loss. I can only imagine the pain you are in. In the past, was Tinnell Smith abusive with your children?

Jacqueline: He has never put his hands on my babies before... he's been alone with them plenty of times.

Chicago News Report: If he was alone with your children, how do you know he didn't abuse them?

Jacqueline: I dont know if he abused them. I only know that he didnt do it in front of me.

Chicago News Report: Is Tinnell Smith guilty of murdering your child?

Jacqueline: I just know this man should rot in hell for taking my baby away. No baby deserves what he did.

Chicago News Report: Prosecutors said Tinnell Smith beat your son to death out of anger. Why was Smith angry?

Jacqueline: I dont know what clicked in his mind that day. We didnt get in to an agument or anything.

Chicago News Report: Do you feel responsible for your son's death?

Jacqueline: If I had known he (Smith) would do this, I would have taken my babies and my stuff and left.

Chicago News Report: I understand there were two children in the home. Are both children a product of your union with Smith?

Jacqueline: No. Adonis wasn't his son. We have one daughter together.

Chicago News Report: How are you coping with the fact that your daughter has been removed from your home?

Jacqueline: I'm okay, because I understand the situation from their eyes. My daughter is not in a foster home. I still have custody. She is in a safe home program.

Chicago News Report: Are you receiving any counseling?

Jacqueline: I'm taking my baby's death really hard. I start counseling after the funeral.

Chicago News Report: When and where is the funeral?

Jacqueline: I dont want the news or anybody else there.

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During our two-day-long discussion, I asked Jacqueline to explain why she was being investigated for child abuse. I also asked the grieving mother to explain her deceased son's prior injuries.

She refused to answer those questions.

Jacqueline also refused to answer questions regarding a disturbing photo of a mangled baby doll, displayed on Tinnell Smith's Facebook page. A photo, that in light of Smith's charges, may have been a signal that something was amiss.