Kody Smart laid to rest

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13-month old Kody Smart was laid to rest this afternoon, following a funeral service in Thorold.

The little boy died hours after suffering head injuries in his grandfather’s home. Kody was placed in that home just months before by family and children’s services, even though Biran Matthews, his grandfather had been convicted of child abuse 20 years ago.

Smart died at McMaster Children’s hospital just hours after suffering his injuries.

He banged his head on the hardwood floor when the dog hit him jumping off the couch and as with every baby death homicide detectives are investigating.

Family and chlidren’s services won’t discuss a specific case and they definitely won’t say why they decided to put Kody into the home of a man with a criminal history and one previously convicted
of assaulting his then six month old son.

“Here I am, one of the top advocates in the province, fighting for change for the last several years since 2009. I’m here having to lay my grandson to rest as a result of this very system that was
supposed to be put in place to protect children.” says Chris York, Kody’s step-grandfather.

This afternoon Kody’s parents, family members, friends, and major crime and child abuse detectives attended the visitation and funeral. Grandfather Brian Matthews was not there.

York says he’s been demanding children’s aid societies be subject to better government scrutiny.

“And I will fight it from my grave if I have to. I’m going to keep pushing until we have Kody’s Law, because I never want to see another child die as a result of the incompetence that’s taking place in these agencies today.”