We cannot forget this little boy's story

There are some tragedies that never take their leave of you.

- ROSIE DIMANNO

Even for a reporter far removed from the actual events.

The brutal mistreatment and death of seven-year-old Randal Dooley - unmourned by the stepmother who beat him mercilessly, ignored by a father who was rarely present (he told police the child must have committed suicide) hasn't receded these past 26 years.

Randal's sad fate wasn't of much concern either to the parole board that last week granted extended parole for Marcia Dooley, ordering a full parole hearing to come, a decision which will take into account "Black Social History" factors lens that diminishes culpability, correctly acknowledging historical and societal impacts for Black offenders in the correctional system a - but of no relevance in this case due to the brutality of the crime.

Other than Marcia Dooley is Black, as was Randal and older brother Teego, little boys brought from Jamaica to reside with their father Tony Dooley and his new wife in Toronto.

Randal stood three-foot-ten and weighed 41 pounds at death, his emaciated body covered with hundreds of bruises, cuts and welts.

During the 10 months he lived in that house of horrors, he was incessantly battered, physically and emotionally. When the child vomited after being force-fed, as a jury heard, he was forced by Marcia Dooley to eat it.