The British High Court ruled on Monday that 12-year-old Archie Battersbee can be taken off life support because he is clinically dead. Among other things, the British broadcaster BBC reports.
The boy sustained serious head injuries in a domestic accident in Southend, Essex, in early April and has been unconscious since. The treating doctors at the Royal London Hospital assume that Archie is brain dead and wanted to stop artificial respiration. His parents, on the other hand, demanded that the treatment be continued. Archie’s heart would still be beating, and according to her, he would have held his mother’s hand.
The court dispute has been going on for a few weeks, and now there is a verdict.
According to the BBC, Judge Justice Arbuthnot’s written ruling reads: “I note that Archie died around noon on 31 May 2022, shortly after the MRI scans carried out that day.” that the irreversible end of brainstem function has been clearly established.”
And further: “I authorize the doctors at the Royal London Hospital to stop Archie Battersbee’s mechanical ventilation.”
On April 7, 2022, Hollie Dance found her son Archie unconscious and with a noose around his neck. She believes her son passed out while taking part in an “internet challenge”. Archie was immediately rushed to the Royal London Hospital and has been in a coma ever since.
The treating physicians had advocated turning off the life-support machines. Earlier this week, they told the High Court in London that Archie was “very likely” brain dead.
A specialist, who cannot be named for legal reasons, also told the court that the tests revealed “no discernible brain activity” but “significant areas of tissue necrosis”. The specialist added: “We think it’s very likely that he’s brain dead.”
Archie’s mother said she was “devastated and extremely disappointed” after the verdict. She told reporters: “His heart is still beating.” And: “As long as it is not God’s way, I will not accept that he should go.” The family will appeal.
A statement from the clinic said it was giving the family time to appeal.
