Parents ask court to let them take Charlie Gard home to die

This is an undated photo of Chris Gard and Connie Yates with their son Charlie Gard provided by the family

A  lawyer for the parents of Charlie Gard told a judge yesterday their last wish is to take their critically ill son home to die.

Lawyers for the family of the 11-month old infant and the hospital treating him returned for a hearing before Britain’s High Court, a day after the baby’s parents said they were dropping their long legal battle to get him experimental treatment.

The family attorney, Grant Armstrong, told a judge that Chris Gard and Connie Yates have held discussions with Great Ormond Street Hospital about sending Charlie home, but that there were obstacles.

Yates was in court for the hearing before Judge Nicholas Francis.

Charlie suffers from mitochondrial depletion syndrome, a rare genetic disease, and cannot breathe unassisted. His parents accept that his condition has deteriorated to the point where the experimental treatment would not work.

Francis presided over the case revolving around the family’s wish to seek medical treatment in the United States. The London children’s hospital opposed that, saying it would not help and would cause Charlie suffering.

British courts and the European Court of Human Rights sided with the hospital. The parents abandoned their bid for the experimental treatment on Monday, saying that time had run out for Charlie.

The case drew international attention after Charlie’s parents received support from Pope Francis, U.S. President Donald Trump and some members of the U.S. Congress.

U.S.-based pro-life activists flew to London to support Charlie’s parents, and the case became a flashpoint for opposing views on health-care funding, medical intervention, the role of the state and the rights of the child.

Outside court on Monday, Chris Gard said the couple wanted to spend their final hours with their son.

“We are about to do the hardest thing that we will ever have to do, which is to let our beautiful little Charlie go,” he said. AP