Beaten baby still struggling

EVERETT, Wash. -- The parents of the 1-year-old boy who suffered serious injuries while being watched by a babysitter say they're still waiting to see if their little one will ever fully recover from the September attack.

Last year Eryk Woodruff was first admitted to Harborview Medical Center, then transported to an assisted living facility in Woodinville after doctors found several broken bones, including a broken jaw and rib, as well as a serious brain injury from the assault.

Police say 31-year-old Matthew Christiansen is responsible for the brutal Sep. 13. beating. Christiansen, whose wife is a friend of Eryk's mother, was watching the baby and his 3-year-old sibling at the time as a favor, as the two couples often did for each other.

In addition to the broken bones and head injuries discovered at Harborview, doctors there found older bruises on the Eryk's body, and investigators determined that Christensen had taken care of the boy three other times prior to the latest incident.

Eryk has since moved home, but he now has to wear a helmet to protect his brain.

"To protect where he doesn't have any bones," said father Russell Woodruff.

 Immediately after he was injured, Eryk couldn't recognize his parents.

"It's hard to see my son just laying in a bed not knowing if dad or mom are sitting there," Russell said back then.

Since then Eryk has had spurts of improvements that have been overshadowed by unexpected setbacks. Doctors don't know whether the boy will ever be able to function at the full capacity of his age.

The process has been an emotionally draining one for Eryk's parents, but his mother can't help but blame herself. Rachel Pierce says placing her son under Christensen's care is one mistake she'll never live down.

"I ruined his life," she said. "I never wanted to hurt him, but I put him there."

Christensen is due in court next week. He is expected to plead guilty. If convicted, he could face up to ten years in prison -- not nearly enough for Eryk's family, who say their little one got a life sentence.

"He ruined our lives. He tore our lives apart," Russell said.

Friends have set up a fund to help Eryk's family. You can donate to the Eryk Woodruff fund at the Washington Mutual Branch in Mill Creek.