Tinslee Lewis’ family ‘heartbroken’ after judge rules 11-month-old baby can be taken off life support
THE family of a chronically ill infant are "heartbroken" after a judge ruled the 11-month-old baby can be taken off life support.
Chief Judge Sandee Marion reviewed the case and sided with a hospital's plans to remove Tinslee Lewis from life support in Texas.
It read: "The case of Tinslee Lewis is complex and heartbreaking, and the state will continue to support Ms. Lewis’s exhaustion of all legal options to ensure that Tinslee is given every chance at life.
"The Attorney General’s office will be supporting an appeal of this case to the Second Court of Appeals. The State of Texas is fully prepared to continue its support of Ms. Lewis in the Supreme Court if necessary."
But Cook Children's Medical Center said it reached out to more than 20 specialized homes and hospitals but none of them would admit or accept Tinslee.
One of Tinslee's doctor Dr. Jay Duncan said that she went through at least a half-dozen surgeries at a hearing in December.
Duncan told medics had run out of treatment options at this point and Tinslee was in severe pain.
"Changing a diaper causes pain. Suctioning her breathing tube causes pain," he explained. "Being on the ventilator causes pain.
"We care a lot about Tinslee," Duncan added. "We care a lot about her family."