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The family of murdered 8-year-old Leiby Kletzky has released a statement following Levi Aron's confession in court to the abduction and murder of the child in 2011.

New York State Assembly Member Dov Hikind: Esther and I faced this unspeakable tragedy last year when our little boy Leiby was ruthlessly taken from us. Today my family has received some partial closure on one aspect of this nightmare. Closure does not mean we do not continue to feel the pain. A day does not pass without our thinking of Leiby. But today we close the door on this one aspect of our tragedy and seek to remember only the gifts that God has bestowed, including the nine years that Leiby was with us. May our son's soul rest in peace and continue to advocate in heaven for all mankind."

Earlier in the day the Kletzky family listened to Aron's testimony as he confessed his crimes in court. As part of his plea deal, Aron will receive a 40-year prison term with 5 years of supervised release when he is sentenced later this month. That may provide some comfort to the Kletzky family which, along with New York's wider Hasidic Jewish community, was shocked by the abduction, murder, and dismembering of the child in 2011. Parts of the young boy's body were found in a city dumpster. In a statement, New York District Attorney Charles Hynes said, "No one should ever forget what happened to Leiby Kletzky but we can all take solace that Levi Aron with never, ever be able to hurt anyone again."