Calgary police arrest mother’s boyfriend in 2005 death of toddler

CALGARY – Calgary police have arrested a man in relation to the murder of a two-year-old boy ten years ago.

Little Blake Harvey was killed in December 2005.

Emergency responders were called to a home in the 4500 block of 7 Avenue S.E. on Dec. 5, 2005 for reports of a child in medical distress.

Harvey was rushed to hospital, where he passed away from his injuries Dec. 8.

At the time, police said the toddler’s injuries were not consistent with a fall down the stairs as investigators were told by a caregiver who was at the home.

An autopsy later confirmed his death was a homicide.

Early on in the investigation, homicide detectives told Global News the focus was on two suspects: the toddler’s mother and the mother’s common-law boyfriend.

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“They had exclusive opportunity so that’s where our investigation has gotten us and that’s what the evidence path points to,” said Staff Sgt. Barry Cochrane a month after the boy’s death.

Police said it was a complicated investigation, and predicted it would take some time to lay charges.

“It’s our goal to ensure we have sufficient evidence so if we do lay charges we’re able to secure a conviction in court. So there really is no timeline; we’re going to be very thorough and careful in our investigation,” said Staff Sgt. Cliff O’Brien in 2005.

Podhorodecki was arrested Thursday in Victoria, British Columbia and has since been transferred to Calgary.

Global News has confirmed he was the common-law boyfriend of Harvey’s mother at the time of the murder.