ST. LOUIS (AP) — The parents of a terminally ill Canadian toddler deemed to be in a permanent vegetative state have moved him to a Catholic hospital in St. Louis after a Canadian court ruled that doctors there could remove his breathing tube.
Thirteen-month-old Joseph Maraachli had been hospitalized since October at London Health Sciences Centre in Ontario because of a neurodegenerative disease.
He arrived at Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital in St. Louis on Sunday.
Jospeh's Canadian doctors say his condition is deteriorating and determined he should be taken off assisted breathing.
The boys' parents lost a court appeal in which they contended that Joseph would suffer a painful death if his breathing tube was removed. They wanted doctors to perform a tracheotomy they believe would allow Joseph to live another six months at home.
