Savona, N.Y. - It was a murder that devastated a family and a community.
In August of 1993, four-and-a-half-year old Derrick Robie was lured into some woods by 13-year-old Eric Smith.
In a fit of jealousy and rage, the teen beat the little boy with a rock and then sexually abused him.
Smith waited three days before confessing--leaving the Robies and the community of Savona, Steuben County in fear.
Smith is now 32 and has been denied parole five times. The Parole Board said Smith showed no remorse for his "senseless and violent acts" and if released, would commit another crime.
A Parole Board will decide this week whether to grant Smith his freedom.
Derrick's parents tell us they fight every two years to keep Smith in prison, fearing if they don't, he will get out and "hurt someone else."
But this year has been more difficult. Their younger son, Dalton is engaged, and with each milestone brings another memory of Derrick.
The Robies put together an emotional video of their son to give to the Parole Board. It includes never-before-seen pictures of the beautiful blonde-haired boy taken just a week before he was killed.
The Robies hope that Parole Board Members will remember their son's face and the terrible things Eric Smith did to Derrick, when deciding whether to release him from prison.
In their first interview in several years, the Robies shared their memories and fears with us.
Dori tells us: "I just think if they let him out, he's going to try to do something again? Would he come after someone else in the family?"
The Robies say it is too hard on families to have to fight parole for child killers like Smith every two years. They are working with state lawmakers to try and get the law changed so that killers denied parole will not be eligible again until five or maybe ten years.
They say it is emotionally draining for them to have to re-live their son's murder every two years.
They remember Derrick as a caring child. They tell us he loved animals and his little brother.
He was all boy, with a big heart.
The video they gave the Parole Board ends with a statement which reads, in part: "Thanks for sharing our memories of Derrick, these are all we have...."
The Robies say they have the support of many in the community who have written letters asking the board not to release Eric Smith from prison.
They also received letters from total strangers who tell them Derrick's murder affected them and the way they raise their own children.
One woman in Canada started a Facebook page honoring Derrick. It has more than 3,000 friends.
The Robie's say Eric Smith sentenced them to life without their son: Dale Robie told us: "You know what, we're still serving life, that's how I feel."
