Convicted Toms River child killer to be released from prison

45-year-old Shawn Milne will walk out of prison this Saturday after serving a 30 year sentence for the rape and murder of 13-year-old Barbara Renee Harrison, a Toms River neighbor, on November 12, 1985.

(Andy Sacks, Getty Images)

Milne will not be under parole supervision when he leaves South Woods State prison. He completed the murder sentence and credits for good behavior has allowed him to avoid serving another 20-year sentence for the sexual assault, according to the Asbury Park Press.

The 13-year-old victim was an eighth grader at Toms River Intermediate East and lived on Fischer Boulevard, 8 houses away from Milne.

Hours after her mother reported her missing, Harrison's body was found half-naked floating in Goose Creek, in the East Dover section of the Township, within steps of Milne's home. Ocean County prosecutors said Milne beat the victim with a piece of wood, dragged her through woods and dumped her in the creek, where she drowned. A trail of dark fluid with drag marks lead to Milne's home, according to court documents. Milne was convicted of murder and aggravated assault in 1987.

tems belonging to Harrison were found in a toolbox with Milne's name on it. He told investigators he had a fight with Harrison and that he she pulled a knife on him. He claimed he acted in self defense when he knocked her unconscious with a board.

Prosecutors said Milne never admitted raping Harrison, but the autopsy determined she had been sexually assaulted twice, suffered massive head injuries and drowned.

The Asbury Park Press reports the state Attorney General's Office declined a request by the prosecutor's office to have Milne civilly committed upon his release. In addition to the 30-year prison term, Milne was sentenced to a consecutive 20-year term without parole for the aggravated sexual assault, but an appeals court reduced the parole ineligibility for the sexual assault to 10 years.

Milne will be required to register under Megan's Law. He reportedly plans to live with a relative in Garfield, Bergen County.