Parole board denies release for South Carolina mother Susan Smith who killed sons 30 years ago

A parole board in South Carolina on Wednesday unanimously rejected Susan Smith's first parole petition, 30 years after she was convicted of killing her two sons.

Smith, who is now 53,  was sentenced to life in prison for killing her sons in 1994, after she falsely claimed that a black male carjacker had kidnapped her sons. Smith later admitted that she let her car roll into a lake, while 3-year-old Michael, and 14-month-old Alex were strapped into their car seats, the Associated Press reported.

Smith apologized for her actions in a video to the board on Wednesday, and asked the board for mercy, claiming that God had already forgiven her.

“I know what I did was horrible,” Smith said. “And I would give anything if I could go back and change it.”

The board did not issue a statement on the vote, but it comes after family members of the boys, including Smith's ex-husband and the boys' father David Smith, urged the board to reject the petition. Law enforcement officers, and prosecutors also asked the board to deny the request.

"She changed my life for the rest of my life that night,” David Smith said. “I’m asking that you please, deny her parole today, and hopefully in the future, but specifically today."

Susan Smith will be eligible for parole again in two years, and every two years after that. David Smith said he plans to attend each of the parole hearings.

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.