B.C. child killer denied parole

Child killer Shane Ertmoed has been denied day parole.

Ertmoed is serving a life sentence for the murder of 10-year-old Heather Thomas.

Thomas was abducted from outside her father’s townhouse complex in Cloverdale in 2000. Her body was later found in Golden Ears Provincial Park.

The decision to deny parole was made Wednesday following a hearing before the National Parole Board in which Thomas’s mother urged the board to keep Ertmoed behind bars.

During an emotional victim impact statement, Jodi Aspin spoke of the toll the hearings have taken on her and her family.

“Every time I get that phone call that there is yet another demand, I am paralyzed with fear. I instantly relive every moment of that day and have a panic attack,” Heather’s mom said.

“The non-stop heartache, the crushing stress of losing my daughter and having to relive it day after day has finally hit bottom,” she said.

At the end of the hearing, Ertmoed apologized for what he had done.

“I wish to apologize to anybody who has felt victimized by my actions and I’m sorry,” he said.

The parole board acknowledged that Ertmoed had made “significant” gains, but did not feel he was ready to be in the community.