CHARLOTTE Wyatt, the tiny premature baby clinging to life in a hospital oxygen box, is to be allowed to die if her breathing stops.
A High Court judge today gave Charlotte's doctors permission not to resuscitate her - despite a plea by her distraught parents that everything should be done to give her the chance of life, however short.
Darren Wyatt, 33, and his 23-year-old wife Debbie - who is expecting their third child - of Buckland, Portsmouth, had urged the judge not to give up on their daughter.
Giving his judgment, Mr Justice Hedley said Charlotte should be given three things.
'As much comfort as possible, as much time as possible to spend in the presence and in contact with her parents and she should be allowed to meet her end, in the words of Mr Wyatt, with the TLC of those who love her the most,' the judge said.
No appeal
After the ruling the couple's lawyer said they did not intend to appeal.
The Wyatts left court refusing to comment.
Mrs Wyatt dabbed away tears with a tissue clutched in her hand and looked shocked by the judge's decision.
The couple's solicitor Richard Stein issued a statement to waiting reporters outside the court room.
He said: 'As you will appreciate, Darren and Debbie Wyatt are extremely upset following the judgment handed down this afternoon."
'They have no comment to make at present."
'They have asked me to say that they feel it was most important that the issues in the case have been aired in public because as a result everyone has had an opportunity to consider the extremely difficult issues faced by them and numerous other parents in their position.'
Through their lawyer, the couple thanked the public for the support they have received.
Is this judgement justified? Have your say.
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R. Osborne, Ontario Canada (07/10/2004 at 18:27)
What happened to "What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger."? How can a child who has experienced pain from the begining have anything to relate the pain to? So therefore, baby Charlotte may be experiencing the norm for her.
I had a premature child and I find this has made him stronger than most his age now at 7yrs. He does not remember the pain.
R. Osborne
Julia, London (07/10/2004 at 23:40)
Emelia became unexpectedly ill at 5 months. She was born full term with apgar's of 9/9/9, and the cause of her illness was never identified - despite the valiant and often desperate attempts of every Great Ormond Street consultant imaginable. So we lived every minute of every day in total uncertainty (and perhaps this is the 'realest' life gets).
Unusally given the serious nature of Emelia's physical symptons - following 10 weeks of Intensive Care at 5 months Emelia had a tracheostomy although was never ventilated (we refused all other surgery on the grounds that it would not make her more comfortable now) - we succeeded in putting in place local community medical support (and I can not over emphasise the monumentous battle it was to achieve this) and so enabled Emelia to live at home for 10 of her 15 months with us, including her last 3.
I can not speak for Charlotte or her parents - every life is utterly unique and personal to those sharing it.
I can say for us to be with Emelia at home was to find a way to know what she wanted, to find our way beyond the fear-based culture of our medical system to a place where we could truly hear what Charlotte's father calls the voice of 'him upstairs'.
And we are eternally grateful for that 'natural' time we had at home together with Emelia, where the pumps and the machines and tubes and drugs faded, and with them the sense that 'it is in our gift'. And where we learnt to trust in the imperfect perfection of every life and to love our daughter fully. To enjoy deeply our time knowing a magnificant little girl, for the graced time that she chose to be with us.
Charlotte, Mum and Dad, peace and blessings are yours
Julia
kirsty, newcastle (08/10/2004 at 11:16)
Mary O'Collins, City Centre, Manchester (08/10/2004 at 13:35)
Dianne Renshaw, Failsworth , Manchester (08/10/2004 at 14:30)
All that said though I really feel for her parents, and appreciate why they want to hold onto her. In all honesty I personally do not know what I would do if I was in their position. I pray that I would make the best possible decision for my sick child and not make a decision based on how I feel.This wasa very sad case and a difficult decision for all invovled. Let us all just pray know that Charlotte will not have to suffer much more of the excrutiating pain the doctors say she is in . My prayers are with her.
Ellen MacLachlan, Toronto Canada (08/10/2004 at 20:20)
Zoe, Cheadle,Cheshire (10/10/2004 at 10:12)
kim johnson, wolverhampton (11/10/2004 at 12:06)
claire lewis, wolverhampton (11/10/2004 at 12:07)
anon, manchester (18/10/2004 at 01:37)
the judge and the doctors cant and wont say that charlotte has no chance of this outcome...so i feel that they should give her a chance and see if she can live a happy life....i hope something wonderfull happens for her and that she will live...my thoughts are with her and her family...i will be praying for you!!!
meme, EDINBURGH (03/11/2004 at 09:33)