What Really Happened With Susan Smith: Why the Parole Board Said No

Thirty years is a long time. In 1994, the world watched as a young mother from Union, South Carolina, sobbed on national television, begging for the return of her two little boys. We all remember the story she told: a Black man had carjacked her at a red light and sped off with 3-year-old Michael and 14-month-old Alex still strapped into their car seats.

The reality was far darker. Susan Smith hadn't been carjacked. She had driven her Mazda Protégé to the edge of John D. Long Lake, stepped out, and let the car roll into the dark water with her children inside.

Fast forward to November 20, 2024. For the first time since her conviction, Susan Smith stood—virtually—before a seven-member parole board. She wanted out. She didn't get it. Honestly, if you followed the hearing, the outcome felt almost inevitable, but the details of why the board reached a unanimous "no" are where things get complicated.

The 2024 Hearing: "God Has Forgiven Me"

Susan Smith appeared via video link from the Leath Correctional Institution. She looked older, of course—she's 53 now—but the emotional delivery was eerily reminiscent of those press conferences three decades ago. She cried. She bowed her head. She told the board, "I know what I did was horrible."

But here’s the kicker: she leaned heavily on her faith. She told the board that she is a Christian and that God has already forgiven her. She basically asked the board to show her the same "mercy" she believes she received from a higher power.

It didn't land.

The parole board in South Carolina isn't exactly known for being a "soft touch." Statistically, they only grant parole about 8% of the time. When you add in the fact that this was her first appearance and the crime involved the premeditated murder of children, her odds were basically zero.

Why the Board Denied Her

The board cited several specific reasons for keeping her behind bars:

• The Nature of the Crime: Drowning two toddlers is about as "egregious" as it gets in the eyes of the law.
• Institutional Record: This was a big one. Smith hasn't exactly been a model inmate. Over the years, she’s had disciplinary infractions for drug possession and sexual encounters with prison guards.
• Recent Behavior: Just before her hearing, she got in trouble for sharing contact information of her family and ex-husband with a documentary filmmaker, hoping to get paid for her story.

The Victim Impact: David Smith Speaks

If there was a "moment" during the hearing that sealed her fate, it was when David Smith, the boys' father, took the microphone. He was wearing a photo of Michael and Alex pinned to his suit.

He didn't hold back.

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He reminded the board that Susan didn't just make a "mistake." She made a choice. He pointed out that she had served only 15 years per child. "That's just not enough," he said. You could feel the weight of 30 years of grief in his voice. He’s remarried now and has a new family, but he’s vowed to show up at every single one of these hearings—which will now happen every two years—to make sure his sons aren't forgotten.

A Legacy of Racial Tension

We can't talk about Susan Smith being denied parole without talking about the lie that started it all. By blaming a Black man for the "carjacking," Smith didn't just kill her kids; she set off a racial firestorm.

Law enforcement spent nine days hunting for a person who didn't exist. Black men in and around Union were stopped, questioned, and looked at with suspicion. During the 2024 hearing, prosecutors specifically brought this up. Kevin Brackett, the 16th Circuit Solicitor, reminded the board that her "treachery" traumatized the entire country and weaponized racial tropes. That stain on her record isn't something that "good behavior" or "finding God" can easily wash away.

What Happens Now?

Susan Smith isn't going anywhere for at least another two years. Under South Carolina law, because she was convicted of a violent crime before the state changed its "truth in sentencing" laws in 1996, she is eligible for a hearing every 24 months.

Her next chance will be in November 2026.

Will the outcome be different then? Probably not. The prosecution's stance is that "life should mean life." Her defense attorney, Tommy Thomas, continues to argue that this was a case of untreated mental health issues and a "lack of diagnosis," but the public and the legal system seem largely unmoved.

Actionable Insights: Following the Case

If you're keeping tabs on this case or interested in how the South Carolina parole system works, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Monitor the SCDPPPS website: The South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services posts hearing schedules and results publicly.
• Understand the "Two-Thirds" Rule: In South Carolina, for a violent offender to get parole, at least two-thirds of the board members present must vote "yes." In Smith's case, it was a unanimous "no."
• Watch for 2026: Mark your calendar for late 2026. Unless there is a massive shift in her institutional behavior or a sudden change in the victim's family's stance, expect a repeat of the 2024 decision.

Ultimately, the denial of Susan Smith's parole isn't just about punishment. It's a reflection of a society that is still, 30 years later, deeply scarred by the calculated nature of her actions and the nine days of deception that followed.