Inquiry likely into future of inmate’s baby | Canterbury News | Local News in Canterbury

Social workers are likely to investigate whether a man in jail for assaulting his three-month-old daughter is fit to live with his second child, conceived shortly before he went to prison.

Christopher Dean Matthews, 32, is hopeful he will be reunited with his partner and their baby, who was born in late November, when he is released.

But Child, Youth and Family told The Star yesterday it would have serious concerns if someone convicted of child abuse was paroled to a home where any children were living.

The mother of Matthews' new baby, Keri Hanifin, 29, told The Star earlier this week she believed Matthews would be a good father to their son.

She said that they hoped they would be able to be together as a family when he was released on parole, which could be as early as May.

Yesterday she did not want to comment on any possible CYFS involvement.

In June last year, Matthews - a New Zealand indoor bowls champion - was jailed for two years and nine months for causing grievous bodily harm and assault on his three-month old daughter, Caitlyn, in 2005.

He had shaken her.

CYFS Southern Regional Director Theresa Perham would not comment specifically on the Matthews case but said in general terms, submissions were regularly made to parole boards, outlining their concerns about the release of convicted child abusers.

When individuals convicted of child abuse were paroled to an address where children were present, CYFS was notified by the Department of Corrections and their social workers worked closely with the family concerned to ensure the ongoing safety of children living at that address.

"We take our responsibility for ensuring child safety very seriously and will uplift a child if we believe that their home environment is unsafe," she said.

Miss Hanifin has taken the new baby to see Matthews in prison.

The couple met in 2008 - after Matthews had been charged and his first trial was declared a mistrial.