Ohio Child Murderer On Verge of Early Release Will Remain in Prison After Thousands Sign Last-Minute Petition to Keep Him Locked Up

An Ohio man who brutally killed a young girl in 1993 will remain behind bars for at least another decade thanks to, in part, a public petition signed by nearly 10,000 people.

"The number of people who signed this petition shows how important this case was, and still is, in this community," Prosecutor Ron Welch told WCMH NBC4. "Our office also appreciates the media outlets who reported on this story. Their understanding of the importance of this case allowed us to reach a much larger number of people."

Billy J. Shafer, 47, was 16 when he volunteered to babysit his neighbors' kids, Sara, 5, and Seth, 3, while their recently divorced father went on a date. After watching "Friday the 13th" and "Friday the 13th Part 2," Shafer woke up Sara and proceeded to molest and stab her before shooting her once in the head, per Block Parole. He then disposed of her mutilated body in an embankment.

He attempted to stage a robbery before Sara's father returned home, but eventually admitted everything to police.

"I've always thought of doin' it and opportunity was knockin,'" Shafer told police when they asked him why he did it, according to Block Parole.

Shafer received 20 years to life plus three years for gun possession. The parole board will hear his case every 10 years, according to WCMH NBC4, but prosecutors said they will oppose his release "until the day Shafer dies."

"Billy Shafer should never breathe free air again," Welch said. "He should die in prison, and even that isn't justice enough for Sara West."