Trigger warning: This episode contains discussions of child abduction, sexual violence, murder, and neglect. Listener discretion is strongly advised.

In this episode of Morbidly Fascinated, Bella covers the heartbreaking and deeply disturbing case of 8-year-old Cherish Perrywinkle, who was abducted from a Jacksonville, Florida Walmart in 2013 by a convicted sex offender posing as a Good Samaritan. What followed was every parent’s worst nightmare. Through the timeline of events, the devastating discovery, and the harrowing trial, the full extent of Donald Smith’s crimes is revealed—along with his disturbing history that should have kept him behind bars.

This episode examines not only the failings of the justice system but also the vulnerability of desperate families and the predators who exploit them.

Sources:

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/jacksonville-fl/cherish-perrywinkle-5581614

Florida-department-of-children-and-familes-and-together-for-cherish

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsZBFNHZZ5U&t=496s

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https://www.news4jax.com/news/2013/06/25/court-documents-show-custody-battle-over-cherish/77-270453747

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https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/cherish-perrywinkle-case-911-calls-and-transcripts/77-99090078

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cherish-did-not-die-quickly-170532043.html

https://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/graphic-testimony-details-cherish-perrywinkles-ordeal-after-walmart-abduction/699204266/

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Murder_of_Cherish_Perrywinkle

https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/crime/jurors-to-begin-deliberating-in-donald-smith-case/77-518697471

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https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/112812437/cherish_lily-perrywinkle