Baby has permanent, lifelong disablities from Dad's abuse, but Dad still allowed to see his son "regularly" (Adelaide, Australia)

Dad PHILIP EDWARD CLARKE has been found guilty of criminal neglect for injuries sustained by his 3-month-old son. Seems Daddy either violently shook the baby and/or threw him--it's not quite clear which. At any rate, the baby will need lifelong, full-time care because of the permanent brain damage. Yet notice daddy's attorney's comment about Daddy seeing his son regularly, as if this is a good thing. Why is this @$$hole allowed to see this child at all? Dang, any scumbag father has his rights anymore, huh? Doesn't matter what he did.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/06/29/2939861.htm

Baby's life destroyed by shaking, court told
By Candice Marcus

Updated Tue Jun 29, 2010 12:16pm AEST

A baby who suffered brain damage after being shaken by his father will need full-time special care for the rest of his life, the Adelaide District Court has heard.

Philip Edward Clarke, 28, of Ingle Farm was found guilty by a jury of criminal neglect.

In sentencing submissions, the prosecution said it was unclear how the three-month-old baby sustained the injury.

The court heard it may have been due to violent shaking or the baby having been thrown with force onto a soft surface - or both.

In a statement read to the court, the child's mother said Clarke had destroyed her son's life.

"[Clarke] has ruined two lives, mine and my son's," the court heard.

The mother said she would never be able to see the boy grow up normally.

"William will never be able to have a normal life. He will not be able to go to a normal school or high school because of the damage to his brain.

"He will need a carer to look after him at all times."

Clarke's lawyer said his client still saw his son regularly and the mother did not.

Sentencing submissions will continue next month after an adjournment allows time for a psychological report on Clarke to be prepared.