Judge Allows Toddler With Signs of Life to Stay on Life Support

​Sacramento, CA–A Federal Judge ruled Monday, to allow two-year old Israel Stinson to stay on life support after doctors declared him brain dead. Stinson appeared to have an asthma attack in early April, and was admitted to the hospital. He lost consciousness multiple times and was ultimately put on a ventilator.

In the time after medical professionals declared Stinson brain dead, he reacted multiple times with movement to his mother’s voice and touch. Independent physicians brought in by the parents do not believe this is consistent with brain death. Despite this conflicting evidence and the mother’s desires to keep him alive, the hospital planned to take Stinson off of life support.

Life Legal Defense Fund reached out to Pacific Justice Institute to help protect Stinson’s life. PJI filed suit to keep Stinson from being removed from the ventilator, and receive the proper nutrition needed to sustain life.

Brad Dacus, President of PJI said, “Justice demands that hospitals and the courts weigh in favor of life over death. The stakes are so high that it is unconscionable that any hospital committed to the health and life of their patient would be so quick to disregard the potential life of this innocent two year-old.”

See video of Stinson‘s movement: Video 1 | Video 2