Assaulted boy due home with mum

RECOVERING: Assault victim Caleb Skinner is on the mend and homeward bound with his mum Joanne Smith.PHOTO/FILE

Caleb Skinner is homeward bound this week.

The 2-year-old Masterton toddler who was left fighting for his life after being assaulted at his George St home on March 3, allegedly by Jason Sutherland, a friend of his mother Joanne Smith, is showing no signs of brain damage.

At first it was believed the toddler had received serious head injuries in the assault and was left brain damaged. He was airlifted to Starship Hospital with his parents holding a bedside vigil and two weeks ago the family were transferred to the North Shore Wilson Rehabilitation Centre to learn how to cope.

Ms Smith said she was extremely excited about returning to Wairarapa and a normal life.

She has been forced to give up her job to care for Caleb.

"I'm homesick hard out," she said.

Doctors have told her Caleb isn't brain damaged.

However, he was still struggling as a result of the assault, Ms Smith said.

"They say he doesn't have any brain damage but he is having mood swings and a few behavioural problems as a result. He's doing really well though."

Wairarapa Beneficiary Advocacy Service's Trevor MacKiewicz has secured a home in Lansdowne for the family to return to and will support them as they settle back in Wairarapa.

Ms Smith just wants to get her life back on track. "I'm just looking forward to going home and life getting back to normal for my family."

Meanwhile, she said she was extremely grateful to the community for donations of money and offers of support. One anonymous donor has given $5000 cash to the appeal for Caleb.

"It's been great. I know people have been giving ... I just want life to be normal again."