Ryan Podhorodecki, accused of killing toddler Blake Harvey, gets bail

A man accused of killing his girlfriend's toddler in southeastCalgary in 2005 has been released from custody while he awaits trial.

Ryan John Podhorodecki, 32, is charged with manslaughter in the death of two-year-old Blake Harvey.

On Thursday, Podhorodecki was released on $10,000 cash bail and must abide by 18 conditions set out by the court.

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Harvey died in hospital in December2005, three days after police and paramedics were called to his southeast Calgary home where he was found in medical distress. The medical examiner later deemed his death a homicide.

The child's mother and Podhorodecki were the only two adults living in the home at the time.

After Harvey died, Podhorodecki moved to Kelowna where he currently lives with his wife. Theydo not have children.

Podhorodeckiwas arrested in October after a cold case investigation.

"It's obviously a highly stressful situation for him, the death occurred almost 10 years to the day," said Podhorodecki's lawyer, Balfour Der.

There are certain challenges though in trying a historical homicide.

"Anytime there's a case that's quite dated, it's always challenging from the point of view of witnesses,finding witnesses,making sure their memory is good," said Der.

The conditions put on the accused's release include:

• Keep the peace and be of good behaviour.
• Abide by an 11 p.m.-6 a.m. curfew.
• Report to a probation officer.
• No contact with Harvey's mother or brother.
• No contact with children unless their parents are present.
• He must work or take classes.
• No drugs or alcohol.

The matter will be back in court in January.