The father of a Central Coast toddler who died from injuries that his doctor believes may have been violently inflicted has recalled cherished moments with his "perfect" son but said he feared he had left the boy in a "dangerous situation".
Peter Atkinson fought back tears as he remembered the time he spent with his son Darcy before he died on December 7, 2012, after presenting to Gosford Hospital with bruises on his arms, legs and ears, and a critical brain injury.
"The last time I saw Darcy he told me 'my daddy, my best friend'," Mr Atkinson told an inquest into his son's death at the NSW Coroner's Court on Thursday.
"But I felt I was leaving him in a reckless and dangerous situation."
The inquest has heard that, the day he presented at Gosford Hospital with plunging vital signs, Darcy was being cared for by his mother's boyfriend, Adam Taylor.
Among a number of possible explanations that have been put forward for Darcy's injuries are that the toddler "had a fall" while paddle boarding with Mr Taylor, that he had ingested a large amount of water while playing in Mr Taylor's pool, or that he had fallen out of bed earlier that morning before being picked up by Mr Taylor.
However, one of Darcy's treating doctors, Barry Wilkins, told the inquest on Thursday that there was strong evidence the two-year-old had been assaulted on the day he was taken to hospital.
"What I know to be fact is that the child was thrashed, probably that day ... I know that he received a blow to the back of the head," Dr Wilkins said.
"And even more importantly and relevant ... I know that he was boxed on the ears probably that day ... he died consequently," he said.
Dr Wilkins said it was possible the fatal brain injury was inflicted by the blows to Darcy's ears, but he did not know exactly when the injuries were inflicted or by whom.
No one has been charged in relation to Darcy's death.
Speaking after the inquest, Mr Atkinson urged other parents to "just be careful who you leave your kids with".
He recalled happier times when Darcy had come to visit him at his home in Victoria, such as when the toddler convinced him to climb through a narrow play equipment tunnel at McDonald's.
"He never forgot me … this bond will never end or ever be broken," Mr Atkinson said.
Darcy's mother, Tara-Rae Maxwell, also expressed the love she felt for her son.
"Darcy loved his grandparents and he loved his mum and he loved his brother so so much," Ms Maxwell said.
"Forever will you stay our special little man, forever may you play."
The inquest has been adjourned until July 16.
