Parents Confirm That Terminally Ill Baby, Charlie Gard, Has Died

Eleven-month-old Charlie Gard has died, a family spokesperson has confirmed.

The baby, who was the centre of legal row over his treatment, passed away on Friday afternoon, one week away from his first birthday.

His parents, Chris Gard and Connie Yates, had previously fought hard to avoid having his life-support machine turned off, and take him to America for potential life-saving treatment.

In a statement issued the same evening, Ms Yates said: "Our beautiful little boy has gone, we are so proud of you Charlie."

Despite being born a healthy baby, his health rapidly deteriorated and he was diagnosed with encephalomyopathic mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome (MDDS).

Credit: Charlies Fight

Charlie later suffered brain damage, and could not open his eyes, or move his arms or legs. He was unable to breathe unaided, with his heart, liver and kidneys also affected.

After losing their first three court battles in the UK to keep his life-support ongoing, at the High Court, The Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court, Gard's parents then took their battle to the European Court of Human Rights.

At the beginning of July both the US President, Donald Trump, and the Pope offered to intervene with the Vatican children's hospital offering to take him in.

Credit: PA

On July 7, Great Ormond Street Hospital applied with a fresh hearing to the High Court, and three days later Mr Justice Francis, who had over seen the original hearing, said he would consider any new evidence.

One week ago, a new scan confirmed that Charlie's condition made for 'sad reading' and on July 24, his parents said they would end their legal fight for treatment and let him die.

Credit: PA

On Thursday Mr Justice Francis ruled that Charlie will be moved to a hospice for his final moments, with his life support withdrawn shortly after an agreement on his end-of-life care was not reached.

Yesterday, a statement from Great Ormond Street Hospital said: "We deeply regret that profound and heartfelt differences between Charlie's doctors and his parents have had to be played out in court over such a protracted period.

"It has been a uniquely painful and distressing process for all concerned. Charlie's parents have tirelessly advocated for what they sincerely believed was right for their son, and nobody could fault them for doing so."

Source: BBC

Featured Image Credit: PA

Michael Minay

Mike Minay is a trending journalist at LADbible. He’s co-ordinated interviews with some of the big names from the world of news and sport including ITV’s Robert Peston, Sky Sports’ Jeff Stelling and darts champion Michael van Gerwen. His reporting days began on University radio in Birmingham, before moving to BBC Sport Online – creating content for large events such as Wimbledon and the FA Cup final. Mike still commentates on Football League matches at the weekend. A Manchester LAD at heart.

@MikeMinay