At the request of both parties, a D.C. Superior Court judge has postponed a ruling on whether a 12-year-old boy, who has been declared brain dead on Nov. 2, should continue to receive treatment at Children’s National Medical Center. Judge William Jackson was due to rule tomorrow on whether the child, Motl Brody, has in fact died under D.C. law.
The Brody parents’ Orthodox Jewish faith holds that a person’s life ends when his heart stops beating, rather than when his brain stops working. The parents are refusing to make any decisions regarding their child’s treatment, except to oppose further brain testing.
The hospital argues that life ends, under D.C. law, when brain activity ends. It is asking the court to give the hospital permission to take the required second round of tests to confirm the child’s death and take him off the ventilator.
In a statement, the hospital says that “due to the evolving nature of this situation,” the hospital and the boy’s family have jointly requested the postponement. The hospital says it has continued to work with the Brodys regarding the care of their child, and remains hopeful the parties can come to a resolution out of court.
Lawyers for the family declined to comment.
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