The story of Susan Smith—a South Carolina mother who drowned her two young sons in 1994—continues to resonate with horror and disbelief nearly three decades later. On Wednesday, the state’s parole board unanimously rejected her first attempt at parole, ensuring that Smith, now 53, will remain behind bars for at least two more years.

During the hearing, Smith expressed regret and referenced her Christian faith as a source of solace. “I know that what I did was horrible,” she said, her voice trembling. “I would give anything if I could go back and change it.” Her statements, delivered via Zoom, were met with skepticism by many, both inside and outside the room.

For days after her sons’ disappearance, Smith captivated the nation with a fabricated tale of a carjacking by a Black man who had supposedly taken her children. The truth emerged nine days later: Smith had strapped 3-year-old Michael and 14-month-old Alex into their car seats and allowed her car to roll into a nearby lake. The confession shocked the nation and brought scrutiny to her motivations, which prosecutors linked to a failed romantic relationship.

Public reaction to her plea for release was swift and unforgiving. On social media, users condemned Smith, with comments ranging from outrage at her lack of perceived remorse to stark reminders of the racial undertones in her original deception. “Monsters belong in cages,” one post read. Others recalled the immense sorrow and betrayal they felt when the truth came out in 1994.

Family members of Smith’s victims delivered powerful statements to the parole board. David Smith, the father of Michael and Alex, said, “This wasn’t a tragic mistake. She purposely meant to end their life.” His current wife, Tiffany, added, “Michael and Alex didn’t get a chance at life. They were forced the death penalty.” Their grief, still raw, underscored the board’s decision to deny Susan Smith’s request for freedom.

Legal experts and Smith’s attorney raised questions about her mental health at the time of the crime, citing untreated postpartum depression. However, this defense held little sway against the weight of the crime and her subsequent misconduct in prison, including infractions involving drugs and inappropriate relationships with staff. For now, Susan Smith remains in prison, with the haunting memories of her actions ensuring that her path to freedom remains fraught.