There is a small girl clinging to life at Stollery hospital in Edmonton. She was beaten and denied basic neccessities of life by her parents. The result of their abuse, neglect and criminal actions have left Baby M in a near vegetative state. Her parents are currently in jail awaiting trial for causing her grievious injuries. She is a toddler. Who knew nothing in her short life except beatings from her mother and father.
These two parents are challenging the medical decision to have their daughter taken off ife support. Doctors agree that nothing more can be done for her and there is no chance of recovery. If she remains ventilated she will eventually contract an infection or pneumonia and slowly and painfully die. Perhaps this is the last human indignity that these 'loving' parents wish upon their daughter. She is just a baby.
The parents cite religious reasons why they will not permit the ventilator to be turned off. They state that they are loving parents (who just happen to be charged with beating a baby to near death). It never crossed their minds that if their daughter dies due to her injuries then they are facing more legal charges which may (and should include) murder.
Hmmmm..... the thoughtful decision by two caring parents who want their daughter to be bound to her earthly body OR the narcissictic planning of two parents who have been advised that they face possible murder charges if their daughter dies.
If she were a family pet she would be mercifully allowed to die. However she is now the pawn of two evil parents who would rather see her rot to death at Stollery hospital than show her any mercy. It is unclear why the parents retain guardianship of the child as they clearly do not have the capacity to make decisions in her best interest. I believe that Child Welfare services in Alberta is involved as CBC mentioned that there is a twin and possibly more children in the family. My thoughts are to those social workers who must be shaking their heads at the absurdity of this.
Further details are here in the National Post:
http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/09/14/judge-blocks-order-to-take-baby-m-off-life-support-as-alberta-parents-prepare-appeal-in-abuse-case/
Update October 2012
Baby M was allowed to pass away after her ventilator was removed when the courts upheld the original judgement to terminate further life sustaining medical interventions.
