(Detroit Free Press) – For 14-year-old Bobby Reyes, the difference between brain dead and dead was three weeks.
That’s how long he lay on a ventilator at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor while his parents fought a court battle to continue his care. He suffered a severe asthma attack Sept. 22 and was brain injured by the time he arrived at the hospital via helicopter.
Doctors there declared him brain dead and sought a second test to confirm their findings. The family went to court to prevent that test, which was needed before life support could be withdrawn. They argued other doctors gave them hope their son could recover.
After a judge ruled against the family, hospital staffers ultimately disconnected life support about 2:50 p.m. Tuesday, and he died quietly with his family at his bedside, according to William Amadeo, a lawyer for the family. CONTINUE