High Court judge to consider whether to withdraw life support for brain damaged boy, 12, who has not regained consciousness more than a month after he was found with ligature around his neck at home
- 12-year-old Archie Battersbee was found unconscious with cord around his neck
- Mother Hollie Dance, 46, of Southend-on-Sea, refuses to turn off his life support
- But doctors at The Royal London Hospital say it is likely he is already brain dead
- A High Court judge is expected to make a ruling in Archie’s best interests today
A High Court judge is preparing to make a ruling over the future of a young boy who has not regained consciousness after suffering brain damage more than a month ago.
Archie Battersbee, 12, was found unresponsive at home in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, with a ligature around his neck on April 7 and has not awoken since.
Specialists treating him at the Royal London Hospital think it is ‘highly likely’ that Archie is brain dead and say life-support treatment should stop.
They have been opposed by Archie’s parents, Hollie Dance and Paul Battersbee, who insist on more time before switching off Archie’s life support.
Hospital bosses have asked a judge based in the Family Division of the High Court to make a judgment in Archie’s best interests.
Hollie Dance, 46, pictured with her son Archie, 12, who has been unresponsive since he was found with a ligature around his neck at home in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, on April 7
Doctors treating Archie at the Royal London Hospital believe that he is brain-stem dead but his parents Hollie Dance and Paul Battersbee oppose switching off his life support treatment
Ms Dance, 46, said: ‘Archie had a severe brain injury only four weeks ago, there’s not been enough time to see what he can do.
‘I’ve refused the brain stem testing to declare him brain dead. It’s too soon.
‘He has squeezed my fingers with a tight grip. I think that’s his way of letting me know he’s still here and just needs more time.
‘We don’t know the extent of the damage but I would rather have some of Archie than none of Archie just to wake up every morning and kiss his beautiful little face.
‘I am fighting for as much time as possible to watch and wait.’
Archie’s brother Tom, 22 and sister Lauren, 20 come every day to visit him and try to get him to respond. His family talks to him and plays his favourite song, Lucis Dreams by Juice WRLD , along with voice notes from his friends.
Archie’s sister Lauren set up an Instagram page ‘Spread the purple wave’ with regular updates on Archie’s condition
‘I would rather have some of Archie than none of Archie just to wake up every morning and kiss his beautiful little face,’ said his mother Hollie
‘Hope is what I am holding on to at the moment,’ said Ms Dance. ‘Where there is life there’s hope.
‘Until it’s God’s way, I won’t accept he should go. I know of miracles when people have come back from being brain dead.
‘He may not be the same as he was but if there’s a possibility he could live a happy life after this, I want to give it to him.’
Barrister Fiona Paterson, representing Barts Health NHS Trust, told the court that Archie’s treating team ‘consider it highly likely that he is, in fact, brain-stem dead.’
They say that any movements from Archie are reflexes.
She said: ‘Even if Archie is not brain-stem dead, his treating team consider that it is highly unlikely that he will ever recover consciousness and consequently it is in his best interests that his mechanical ventilation be withdrawn.’
Mrs Justice Arbuthnot is scheduled to consider the case at a private hearing in London today.
Archie’s elder brother Tom, 22, comes to the hospital every day to visit him and tried to get him to respond
Hollie and Archie’s dad, Paul Battersbee, want to give Archie more time to see if his condition improves before making a decision about withdrawing his life support
Archie’s sister Lauren set up an Instagram page ‘Spread the purple wave’ with regular updates on Archie’s condition.
Miss Dance has speculated that Archie may have been taking part in a ‘online challenge’ when he was hurt.
A campaign organisation called the Christian Legal Centre says it is supporting Archie’s family.
‘We are standing with Archie and his family every step of the way,’ said the centre’s chief executive, Andrea Williams.
‘We want to give him every chance of life.’
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