The 12-year-old was in a provocative coma after his family said he had suffered a “tragic accident” at his home. Health professionals believe that the child is brain dead and want to turn off his life support, while his parents wanted the treatment to continue. A Supreme Court judge was ordered to decide what was best for the child. Justice Arbuthnot ruled Monday that the boy was dead and said doctors could legally stop his treatment. Supreme Court justice authorizes hospital bosses to turn off Archie Battersbee life support (Hollie Dance / PA) (PA Media) “I find that Archie died at noon on May 31, 2022, shortly after the MRI scans were performed that day,” she said in a written statement. “I find that the irreversible cessation of brainstem function has been definitively documented.” The judge added: “I give permission to the doctors of the Royal Hospital of London to stop the mechanical ventilation of the Archie Battersbee.” He also allowed Whitechapel Hospital health professionals to “intubate” and stop giving medication to the 12-year-old, as well as to attempt “no cardiopulmonary or pulmonary resuscitation”. “The steps I mentioned above are legal,” added Justice Arbuthnot. The judge heard that Archie suffered a brain injury in a home incident in early April. His mother, Hollie Dance, told the court she found him unconscious on April 7 and believes she may have been involved in an online challenge. Archie Battersbee’s mother, Hollie Dance, speaking outside the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, East London, following the High Court ruling (PA) The young man has not regained consciousness. His parents, Mrs. Dance and Paul Battersbee, had rejected the doctors’ proposals to stop supporting his life. His mother told him last month that he “would rather have a little of him than no one” and “fought for as long as possible to watch him and wait”. Lawyers representing Archie’s family had told the judge that his heart was still pounding. Following the ruling, Ms Dance said she was “devastated and extremely disappointed” after weeks of fighting in court instead of at her son’s bedside. Archie Battersbee with Hollie Dance’s mother (PA) “Relying this judgment on an MRI scan and that he is ‘likely’ to be dead is not good enough. “This is believed to be the first time someone has been declared ‘likely’ to be dead based on an MRI scan,” he said. Ms Dance added: “I feel sick that the hospital and the judge have not taken into account the wishes of the family. I do not think Archie has been given enough time. From the beginning I always thought “why the rush?” “His heart is still beating, he has taken my hand and as his mother, I know he is still there.” Ms Dance’s statement said the case raised “significant ethical, legal and medical questions about when a person is dead” and that the family intended to appeal. Alistair Chesser, chief physician at Barts Health NHS Trust, expressed his condolences to the family after the decision. “Under the guidance of the court, our specialist clinicians will provide the best possible care as long as life support is withdrawn,” he said outside the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel. “We also ensure that there is time for the family to decide if they wish to appeal before any changes in care are made.” Additional report from the Press Association
