TRAGIC CHARLIE GARD DIES
Charlie Gard has died just a week shy of his first birthday, with his heartbroken parents paying tribute to their “beautiful little boy”.
The 11-month-old, who had a rare genetic condition, was at the centre of a legal battle between his parents and Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) that attracted worldwide attention.
In a statement following his death yesterday, his mother Connie Yates said: “Our beautiful little boy has gone, we’re so proud of him.”
Pope Francis, who had shown his support for Ms Yates and Charlie’s father Chris Gard during their lengthy legal challenge, said he was praying for the family following the baby boy’s death.
He tweeted: “I entrust little Charlie to the Father and pray for his parents and all those who loved him.”
A court had ordered that Charlie be moved to a hospice, where his life support would be withdrawn.
The hospital where he spent most of his short life sent “heartfelt condolences” to the family, while Prime Minister Theresa May said she was “deeply saddened” by his death.
A GOSH spokeswoman said: “Everyone at Great Ormond Street Hospital sends their heartfelt condolences to Charlie’s parents and loved ones at this very sad time.”
Mrs May said in a statement: “I am deeply saddened by the death of Charlie Gard. My thoughts and prayers are with Charlie’s parents Chris and Connie at this difficult time.”
Ms Yates and Mr Gard wanted to take their severely ill son to the US for treatment.
His plight saw hundreds of supporters - called Charlie’s Army - lending their voices and money for him to be given treatment, with £1.35m raised on an online fundraising site.
On Thursday Ms Yates claimed the couple were “denied” their “final wish” when a High Court judge approved a plan to see Charlie moved to a hospice and have his life support withdrawn soon after.
His parents had pleaded to be allowed more time with him, after their earlier request to take him home to die also failed.
Charlie, who was born on August 4 last year, had a form of mitochondrial disease, a condition that causes progressive muscle weakness and brain damage.
Described as “perfectly healthy” when he was born, Charlie was admitted to hospital at eight weeks and his condition progressively deteriorated.
The couple said they wanted to take their son across the Atlantic for nucleoside bypass therapy, but specialists at GOSH in London, where Charlie was being cared for, said the treatment was experimental and would not help.
Earlier this month the Vatican press office said the pontiff prayed that “their wish to accompany and treat their child until the end is not neglected”.
President Donald Trump also weighed in to the debate, saying the United States would be “delighted” to help if it could.
Following news of Charlie’s death, US Vice President Mike Pence tweeted: “Saddened to hear of the passing of Charlie Gard. Karen & I offer our prayers & condolences to his loving parents during this difficult time.”
The protracted legal battle saw the couple take their case to the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court - all of which ruled life support treatment should end and Charlie should be allowed to die with dignity.
Judges at the European Court of Human Rights refused to intervene in the case - and the couple said they felt “let down” following the series of court hearings.
Paying tribute to their son following the end of their legal challenge on Monday the couple, both aged in their 30s and of Bedfont, west London, described him as an “absolute warrior”.