How did Matt Gordon try to protect his son from Rose's rage?

Matt stuck up for Charlie regularly, protecting his son as best he could. In the end, he took Matt to Herman's... then the Warren State Home because Rose had threatened Charlie with a knife. Then he left her....

"You're crazy. Put that knife away."
"He's better off dead. He'll never be able to live a normal life. He'll be better off-"
"You're out of your mind. For God's sake, control yourself!" "Then take him away from here. Now tonight."
"All right. I'll take him over to Herman tonight and maybe tomorrow we'll find out about getting him into the Warren State Home."