Relatives of a California girl declared brain dead after complications from a tonsillectomy lost their bid on Tuesday to extend a court order that bars a hospital from taking the child off a breathing machine without their consent before December 30.
A judge denied the family’s petition to lengthen his restraining order after two pediatric neurologists testified during a court hearing in Oakland that 13-year-old Jahi McMath was without brain function and thus beyond recovery.
Family members and their lawyer said after the proceedings that they had not yet decided whether to dispute the medical findings or appeal the latest decision by Alameda County Superior Judge Evelio Grillo to a higher court.
Jahi was admitted to Children’s Hospital and Resource Center in Oakland on December 9 for surgery to remove her tonsils but ended up being declared brain dead three days later following complications from the operation, hospital officials have said.
