Edmonton Man Sentenced for Manslaughter in Infant's Death

George Russell Hulleman, a 31-year-old resident of Edmonton, was convicted of manslaughter in the death of his five-week-old son, Leviathan Puchalski. On the night of February 5, 2023, the infant's mother went to bed, leaving the baby and Hulleman in the living room while she slept. Hours later she awoke to find Hulleman on the phone with emergency services, holding the limp, blue-tinged child.

Responders arrived to find Hulleman performing chest compressions, but the baby was already ashen and later diagnosed with brain swelling, spinal injuries, and limb fractures. While medical testimony could not determine the precise mechanism of injury, experts described the trauma as “catastrophic,” consistent with severe shaking or impact. The judge ruled that Hulleman had the intent to cause serious harm, satisfying the manslaughter element, but the evidence did not prove he anticipated the baby’s death. A Gladue report will be prepared before sentencing.