Serial killer Dellen Millard, who murdered Tim Bosma, Laura Babcock, moved to medium security prison

Serial killer Dellen Millard has been moved from a maximum-security prison to a medium-security facility in Ontario, CBC News has learned.

That decision follows a similar move from co-conspirator Mark Smich, who was transferred to a medium-security facility back in 2021.

The news has left the families of the pair’s victims — Hamilton man Tim Bosma and Toronto woman Laura Babcock — reeling and demanding answers as to why such a move would occur, given the severity of Millard and Smich’s crimes and the amount of time left on their sentences. 

Bosma’s widow, Sharlene, and his parents, Hank and Mary, said in a joint statement to CBC News that they were disgusted to learn of Millard’s move to medium security this fall, following Smich's move years earlier.

“If a three-time convicted 1st-degree murderer is rewarded for ‘good behaviour’ in the Canadian penal system and moved to a lower security prison, who then is filling the maximum security prisons? White collar criminals?” the statement reads. “Does our government really see them as the largest threat to society's safety?”

“Such a move by our ‘justice’ system is an abhorrent transgression, offending all manner of common sense.”

Linda Babcock, Laura’s mother, told CBC News in an interview that these moves have done nothing but reopen old wounds and disrupt her family’s peace of mind. 

“We’re right back to where we were at the start, honestly,” she said. “I would like to see people that have done these violent crimes serve their full time where they should be — in maximum security.”

Millard, a Toronto man, was convicted of first-degree murder in Bosma’s death in 2016, alongside Smich, from Oakville, Ont. The pair was similarly convicted of first-degree murder in Babcock’s death in 2017. 

Millard was also convicted of first-degree murder in the death of his father, Wayne, in 2018, as well as found guilty of assault causing bodily harm in connection with a stabbing in prison in 2023.

The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) would not confirm the pair’s move to medium security when contacted by CBC News, saying they are unable to disclose “personal information” about offenders except in circumstances where it is a matter of public safety.

“Our thoughts remain with the victims and their families,” said spokesperson Esther Mailhot, in a statement. “We know that each and every contact with them, especially regarding an offender’s case can be unsettling.” 

“We engage with victims at various points of an offender’s sentence, based on a victim’s chosen preferences, and provide them with opportunities to voice their concerns, which are considered in our decision-making.” 

But both families in this instance say they feel like their concerns weren’t heeded.