Dad who left baby brain-damaged plans to visit her after he's freed

Photo / Brett Phibbs

A father whose daughter is living with severe brain damage after he shook her when she was a baby may soon have regular access to her after his early release from prison.

Christopher Dean Matthews, 32, is due to be released on parole this month after serving just over a year of a sentence of two years and nine months for causing grievous bodily harm to Caitlyn Matthews when she was three months old.

Since suffering her injuries, Caitlyn has been in the care of Matthews' father, Bevan, and his wife Kay in Christchurch and is said to be "going ahead in leaps and bounds".

Matthews will have to abide by whatever conditions the Parole Board puts in place in regard to access to children until his parole ends.

Bevan Matthews told the Herald that while he was uncomfortable with the idea of his son visiting Caitlyn, he wanted to avoid any hostility and a potentially bitter court struggle.

"We don't really want to go down that path and say straight up 'no'. We want to give him the chance to just sort of stay in contact," he said.

Bevan Matthews is due to meet Child, Youth and Family this week to discuss the options for visits by his son.

"Possibly we are looking at three-monthly visits for an hour at time - that's about all we are hoping for. It's something that we would probably be able to keep the peace with, if you like. We are never comfortable with the situation because it should never have happened in the first place."

Christopher Matthews also has a son from a separate relationship he may seek access to.

CYF said Bevan Matthews and his wife had parenting orders for Caitlyn and made decisions regarding her care, including issues relating to access.

They would be within their rights to refuse Christopher Matthews access to Caitlyn, said southern regional director Grant Bennett.

"Christopher Matthews does not have automatic rights of access to the children. However, he could apply to the Family Court for an order."

Caitlyn has a vocabulary of only about six or seven words and uses a frame for walking, according to Bevan Matthews, but has been really enjoying going to school, where she has the help of a teacher aide.