A judge has ruled that a 12-year-old boy with catastrophic brain damage has died and that his treatment can be stopped.
Archie Battersbee has not regained consciousness since an accident at his home on April 7, when he was discovered with a headband.
On Monday, Judge Arbuthnot, sitting in the family division of the high court, supported doctors at Royal London Hospital in East London who concluded that Archie was “brain dead” and that she was no longer he had to stay alive. He said doctors could stop treating him legally.
Archie’s mother, Hollie Dance, of Southend, Essex, said she was devastated by the sentence and that the family planned to appeal.
In a written judgment, the judge said, “I believe Archie died at noon on May 31, 2022, shortly after MRIs were taken that day. I find that the irreversible cessation of brainstem function has been established. conclusively.
“I give permission for medical professionals at Royal London Hospital to stop mechanically ventilating Archie Battersbee; extubar Archie Battersbee; discontinue Archie Battersbee medication and do not attempt any cardio or pulmonary resuscitation on Archie Battersbee when cardiac output or respiratory strain ceases. The steps I set out above are legal. “
He continued: “If Archie continues with mechanical ventilation, the probable outcome for him is sudden death and the prospect of recovery is nil. He has no pleasure in life and his brain damage is unrecoverable. His position will not improve. “.
Dance said she was “devastated and extremely disappointed” by the sentence. She said, “We intend to appeal and we will not give up on Archie.”
He added: “I feel sick that the hospital and the judge did not take into account the wishes of the family. I don’t think Archie has been given enough time.
“Her heart is still beating, she has taken my hand and, as a mother, I know she is still there. Until it is God’s way, I will not allow it to go away. I know of miracles when people are back from being brain dead. This case raises important moral, legal, and medical issues about when a person is dead. What does this sentence tell us about where our society is today? “
Archie’s family received support from the Christian Legal Center campaign group.