A mother left her 22-month-old daughter with her boyfriend for 20 minutes. In that time, he raped and killed her. Decades later, a parole board decided he had served enough.
The Crime
Douglas Wade raped and killed his then-girlfriend's 22-month-old daughter while the child's mother was briefly out of the home. "It was my baby, I trusted him," the mother, who cannot be named, later said. "I was only gone for like 20 minutes." The child died from internal injuries caused by the assault. A New South Wales court found Wade guilty of rape and murder, though he has never admitted to the sexual assault, and sentenced him to 36 years in prison.
Early Release
Despite the severity of his crimes, New South Wales' State Parole Authority approved Wade's early release, reducing his non-parole period to 26 years based on his lack of serious disciplinary infractions in custody -- a decision that meant he was immediately eligible for release with four years remaining on his original sentence.
Objections
Victims' advocate Howard Brown was sharply critical of the reasoning behind the decision, noting the limited opportunities for reoffending available to Wade within a prison setting. Barrister Jillian Caldwell also raised concerns, pointing to Wade's continued insistence -- voiced in earlier court proceedings -- that he had only "lashed out" because the child had "annoyed him," which she described as one of the most troubling aspects of the case. The Parole Authority itself acknowledged Wade posed a moderate-to-low risk of reoffending, while also noting there was no indication he was likely to change.
Conditions of Release
Wade will be required to wear an electronic monitor restricting him from areas near his victim's family, and will live at his sister's property. Brown expressed concern that the surrounding area includes other properties where children may be unsupervised near the road, such as waiting for school buses.
The Victim's Mother
The child's mother has said she still fears encountering Wade given how small her community is, and worries about the safety of her own family in the aftermath of his release.
FAQ
How long did Douglas Wade serve before release?
He was released after roughly 26 years of a 36-year sentence, based on the parole board's assessment of his conduct in custody.
Did Douglas Wade admit to his crimes?
He was convicted of both rape and murder but has never admitted to the sexual assault, and has offered differing accounts of the killing itself over the years.
What restrictions apply to his release?
He is required to wear an electronic monitor that restricts him from areas near his victim's family.