CALGARY – A pedophile who drowned a young Calgary girl and stuffed her body in a garbage can has been denied a request for overnight leave.
The Parole Board of Canada (PBC) denied Harold Smeltzer’s request for an overnight pass, but said day parole could continue for the 59-year-old.
Smeltzer served 27 years of a life sentence for the murder of five-year-old Kimberley Thompson, who was taken on her way to kindergarten in 1980. He was also convicted of several other sexual assaults and has admitted to attacking other young girls.
Kimberley’s mother, Evelyn Thompson, said Friday she often thinks of how her daughter would have grown up, wondering if she’d have kids of her own by now.
Smeltzer had previously been denied weekend passes in October 2013, when the PBC said he needed close supervision and should not be allowed overnight leave. His first release on day parole was in 2008.
Kimberley’s cousin, Catherine Vanloo, said it’s a constant roller coaster each time Smeltzer makes a request for overnight passes.
“They are going to let him loose…sooner or later he’s going to be out there,” said Vanloo. “Every day I’m always watching faces because I don’t know what tomorrow is going to bring. I hate the fact my daughter or son could be on the sidewalk beside him; it’s disgusting.”
“The minute you hear he requested it, your heart shatters, because God forbid it happens to anybody else.”
With files from Jill Croteau and The Canadian Press
Comments