A High Court judge has ruled that a young boy should be taken off his life-support machine, despite his parents' belief that he could be miraculously healed.
Ms Justice Russell, who described the case as "unbearably sad", approved an application from the NHS Trust where the boy is being cared for that asked for his life-sustaining treatment to be withdrawn.
The judge made the decision yesterday, following the advice of medical experts who told the courts that it was in the toddler's best interests.
The one-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was born prematurely, and complications with his breathing has left him unable to survive without mechanical ventilation and "invasive" tubes.
He has suffered "profound irreversible brain damage" in addition to chronic lung disease, the court was told, meaning that his condition is highly likely to deteriorate even further.
However, the boy's parents – who are devout Christians – believe that he could defy the odds, and have fought to have their son kept alive.
"We know he is reacting to certain things. He still has life. We don't have the right, as parents, as individuals, to take this privilege from him," his father said, adding that he and his wife believe they have seen "improvements" in their son's condition.
"At the end of the day he is still alive. The ventilator is helping and supporting that life. Where there is life, I don't think you should get the right to determine whether that should be taken away," the boy's mother told the judge.
"He's still alive. Miracles do happen."
However, the court ruled against the parents, despite their emotional appeal.
"The parents believe in the possibility of recovery. That is not the opinion of the medical experts," the judge explained, noting that she came to her conclusion with "great reluctance".
"It is their belief that given time God may work a miracle. I have nothing but sympathy for them and admire the love and devotion they have shown," Ms Justice Russell added.
A spokesperson for the family's lawyer said the family are "devastated" by the ruling.
"[They] are desperately upset...and will now want to come to terms with the court's decision and grieve for their son," Yogi Amin said.
The NHS trust responsible for the boy will not be named as long as he remains alive.
