European court rejects appeal in baby’s life-support case

The European Court of Human Rights on Tuesday sided with previous rulings that ordered a terminally ill 10-month-old baby taken off life support. Chris Gard and Connie Yates, parents of Charlie Gard, wanted their son to remain on life support until they could bring him to the United States for an experimental therapy. Charlie suffers from a rare genetic condition and brain damage, and he can’t move or breathe without help. The court declined to hear the case and instead agreed with three earlier rulings that the treatment would only prolong Charlie’s suffering. Some specialist doctors said the proposed therapy would not help. London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital said there was no rush to stop life support and pledged to work with Charlie’s parents to “prepare for the next steps.”

We Sift the news so you don't have to.