British media is reporting that Charlie Gard, the British infant at the center of a months-long legal battle over his end-of-life treatment has died. The baby's life-support was withdrawn soon after a judge ordered Gard to be moved to a hospice, against his parent's "final wish" for the child to spend his last remaining hours at home.
The 11-month old was born with mitochondrial depletion syndrome, a terminal disease that causes a drop in mitochondrial DNA tissues. Charlie's condition meant his cells were unable to transfer energy to his brain, kidneys or muscles. The infant was born with congenital deafness and had a severe epilepsy disorder.
Charlie's parents had fought in vain for him to be allowed to travel to the US for experimental care, but a judge ordered Charlie to go into hospice care on Thursday.