A Massachusetts Republican lawmaker is condemning the state parole board after it voted to release a man who killed an 18-month-old boy and later placed the child’s body in a dumpster.

State Rep. Alyson Sullivan-Almeida, R-Abington, said the decision overlooks the seriousness of the crime and the life that was taken.

“I am appalled by the parole board’s decision,” Sullivan-Almeida wrote in a Facebook post. “Once again, it feels like the victim and the gravity of the crime are being overlooked.”

Ronald Bonnoyer pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in 1989 in connection with the death of toddler Jean Thibault in Agawam. He received a life sentence with the possibility of parole.

After serving about 37 years in prison, the Massachusetts Parole Board approved his release last month.

Massachusetts Parole Board Grants Release After 37 Years

The killing happened in 1988 when the toddler was left in Bonnoyer’s care while the child’s mother briefly left the apartment.

Police later discovered the boy’s body inside a trash bag in a nearby dumpster. Medical examiners determined the cause of death was blunt force trauma.

Investigators said Bonnoyer gave several conflicting explanations for the child’s disappearance before the body was found.

Before the discovery, Bonnoyer told his ex-wife during a phone call, “If you ever needed to do anything for me, pray for me now. I need a miracle.”

Parole Board Cites Sobriety and Prison Record

The parole board pointed to Bonnoyer’s conduct in prison when explaining its decision.

“He has been sober for 32 years,” the board wrote in its ruling. “He has minimal disciplinary reports, and the last one was over 20 years ago. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Boston University, while incarcerated.”

The board also wrote that Bonnoyer “has taken accountability for his actions and presented with insight into the causative factors of his criminogenic behaviors.”

Board members concluded that Bonnoyer had demonstrated “a level of rehabilitation that would make his release compatible with the welfare of society.”

Lawmaker Says Victim Is Being Forgotten

Sullivan-Almeida rejected that reasoning.

“A crime committed 37 years ago does not erase the responsibility for what happened and the life he took,” she wrote.

She also criticized the board’s emphasis on Bonnoyer’s sobriety.

“If someone has been incarcerated, sobriety should be expected, it should not be highlighted as a personal accomplishment or a reason for leniency for parole,” Sullivan-Almeida said.

The lawmaker emphasized that the victim should remain central to the decision.

“An innocent, defenseless 18-month-old child lost his life because of the deliberate actions of this man,” she wrote. “That reality should remain at the center of any decision made by the parole board.”

FAQ: Massachusetts Parole Decision In Toddler Murder Case

Who is Ronald Bonnoyer?

Ronald Bonnoyer is the Massachusetts man who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in 1989 for killing 18-month-old Jean Thibault in Agawam.

How long was he in prison?

Bonnoyer served about 37 years after receiving a life sentence with the possibility of parole.

Why did the parole board release him?

The board cited his prison record, including decades of sobriety, minimal disciplinary issues, and educational achievements while incarcerated.

Why is Rep. Alyson Sullivan-Almeida criticizing the decision?

Sullivan-Almeida argues the parole board overlooked the severity of the crime and failed to keep the victim at the center of the decision.

Was the parole board’s decision unanimous?

Yes. The board’s written ruling says the decision to grant parole was unanimous.