Chad Campbell Parole Decision (2025)

Chad Campbell Parole Decision (2025) — New York State's parole board approved the release of Chad Campbell, convicted of murdering a teenage girl and an infant in 1990, drawing condemnation from Congresswoman Elise Stefanik.

Summary

In 1990, Chad Campbell—then 14 years old—stabbed and killed a 15-year-old girl and the 17-month-old child she was babysitting in Wayne County, New York. The bodies were found dumped behind the Palmyra-Macedon Middle School. Campbell admitted during a later parole hearing that his "mission was basically to rape and possibly kill." He was convicted and sentenced to 18 years to life in state prison, where he eventually earned an associate degree from Bard College.

On November 25, 2025, the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) confirmed that the state Board of Parole had approved Campbell—now 50 years old—for release, with a projected release date of March 12, 2026. The decision followed rule changes made by the parole board under Governor Kathy Hochul's administration aimed at increasing releases of long-incarcerated individuals on equity grounds.

Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) publicly condemned the decision on December 3, 2025, calling it an example of the Hochul administration putting "criminals first and families last." Stefanik described the parole board's rule changes as designed to "release violent criminals and reward the worst of the worst with special treatment." The case renewed debate over New York State's parole practices and the Hochul administration's criminal justice policies.

Key Details

Date: Crimes occurred 1990; Parole approved November 25, 2025; Release scheduled March 12, 2026
Location: Wayne County, New York (Palmyra-Macedon area)
Key People: Chad Campbell (convicted murderer, age 50 at release); Governor Kathy Hochul; Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY); victims: 15-year-old girl and 17-month-old boy (unnamed)
Outcome: Parole board approved Campbell's release after 35 years; release date set for March 12, 2026

Sources