The family of a 13-year-old declared brain-dead after a routine tonsil surgery can breathe a little easier now that Jahi McMath has been released from the hospital.
After an intense back and forth between Children’s Hospital & Research Center Oakland and a judge, the family was given permission to move Jahi to an undisclosed destination where she will be taken care of on life support. The hospital initially declined to move Jahi, which required a procedure to insert breathing and feeding tubes, because she was declared a “deceased” person.
In fact, the Alameda County coroner’s office issued a death certificate Friday, listing Dec. 12 as Jahi’s date of death. If you recall, Jahi suffered complications including heavy bleeding, cardiac arrest and “whole brain death” on Dec. 12, just three days after the surgery.
“Our hearts go out to the family as they grieve for this sad situation and we wish them closure and peace,” David Durand, the hospital’s chief of pediatrics said.
Christopher Dolan, attorney for Jahi McMath’s family, in an interview with the Associated Press, wouldn’t specify where the girl was taken but said “they are going to care for her, respect her and love her. And they’re going to call her Jahi, not `the body.”’
We wish her family the best.
SOURCE: LA Times | VIDEO SOURCE: News, Inc.
