Canada’s parole board has extended the day parole for a man who abducted and killed a five-year-old Calgary girl in January 1980. Harold Smeltzer is serving a life sentence. He was 24 when he abducted Kimberley Thompson with plans to sexually assault her, but he killed her after she recognized him. Smeltzer has also confessed to sexual offences against more than 40 girls under the age of 13. The September parole board release decision comes with certain conditions, including avoiding places where children are expected to be and not accessing explicit material. The parole board found that while his offences were “horrific,” they were committed nearly five decades ago, and his release plan would help mitigate his risk. His most recent psychological report from 2019 determined he was at an “average” risk of committing another sexual or violent offence in the next five years. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 8, 2026. Dayne Patterson, The Canadian Press
