LONDON (AP) — A 12-year-old boy who had been in a coma for four months died Saturday in a London hospital after doctors ended life-sustaining treatment that was the subject of a long legal battle.
Archie Battersbee’s mother, Hollie Dance, said he died at 12:15 p.m., about two hours after the hospital began withdrawing treatment. British courts had rejected the family’s request for Archie to be moved to a hospice, and the European Court of Human Rights refused for a second time to intervene in the case.
“Fight to the end,” Dance said, crying outside the hospital. “I’m the proudest mom in the world.”
Archie’s care became the subject of weeks of legal wrangling as his parents tried to force the hospital to continue life-sustaining treatments and doctors argued there was no chance of recovery and he should be allowed to die.
The family sought permission to move Archie to a hospice after British courts ruled it was in his best interests to end treatment. The hospital said Archie’s condition was so unstable that moving him would hasten his death.
On Friday, Superior Court Judge Lucy Theis rejected the family’s request, saying Archie would have to remain in hospital while treatment was stopped.
“I’m back where I started, recognizing the enormity of what lies ahead for Archie’s parents and family. Their unconditional love and devotion to Archie is a golden thread running through this case,” Thies wrote in her decision. “I hope that Archie can now be given the opportunity to die in peace, with the family that meant as much to him as he clearly means to them.”
The row is the latest UK case to pit doctors’ judgment against families’ wishes. Under British law, it is common for the courts to intervene when parents and doctors disagree about a child’s medical treatment. In such cases, the best interests of the child override the parents’ right to decide what they believe is best for their offspring.
