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RIP, Little Emilio

He died loved.  We should all hope to die in such a way. 

A 19-month-old boy whose terminal illness started a contentious legal and ethical debate over who decides when life-sustaining treatment should cease has died.

Emilio Gonzales died in his mother’s arms Saturday night at Children’s Hospital of Austin, Texas, family attorney Jerri Ward said.

“God chose to take Emilio at this time,” Ward said.

The family has not requested an autopsy, said Michele Gonzalez, a spokeswoman for the Seton Family of Hospitals. Children’s Hospital physicians will make a final determination on the cause of death by the middle of the week, she told The Associated Press.

Emilio, who had been on a respirator since December, was believed to have Leigh’s disease, a progressive illness which destroys brain functions. His mother had fought in court to continue his medical care while doctors, saying there was no hope of recovery, sought to remove him from the machines keeping him alive.

Doctors wanted to invoke a state law allowing the hospital to stop life support after a 10-day notice for patients deemed medically futile.

Posted by Owen at 1930 hrs
Culture + Politics + Politics - Texas

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