Chris Gard and Connie Yates ended their legal battle July 24 and agreed to take their 11-month-old son Charlie off life support, according to an NBC News report.
The family's attorney said during court proceedings July 24 the couple withdrew their challenge to allow Charlie to receive an experimental medical treatment in the U.S. because "time has now [run] out for Charlie," according to a BuzzFeed News report. Charlie's parents were seeking access to the experimental treatment against the advice of their son's physicians at the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London.
Following the court proceedings, Charlie's parents said in a statement they are "truly devastated" and blame the length of the court case for preventing Charlie from receiving an experimental treatment that may have improved his brain function. Charlie was diagnosed with infantile onset encephalomyopathic mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome, an autosomal recessive disorder that causes a drop in an individual's mitochondrial DNA in affected tissues. There is no cure for the condition.
"We will have to live with the what-ifs which will haunt us for the rest of our lives. ... Our son is an absolute warrior and we will miss him terribly," Charlie's father Chris Gard said. "We are now going to spend our last precious moments with our son Charlie, who won't make his first birthday in just under two week's time."
A judge was scheduled to issue a final ruling on whether Charlie and his parents could travel to the U.S. for treatment during the hearing Monday.
GOSHC released a statement about the couple's decision, commending them for making Charlie's needs a priority.
"The agony, desolation and bravery of [Chris and Connie's] decision command GOSH's utmost respect and humble all who work there. Whilst GOSH has striven to work with them throughout, Charlie's needs have taken priority. … In the months ahead, all at GOSH will be giving careful thought to what they can learn from this bruising court case that might enrich the care it provides to its most vulnerable patients and families."
GOSHC officials said physicians and staff have been subjected to abuse and death threats due to the case, according to a second NBC News report.
Last week, the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations approved an amendment granting Charlie and his parents permanent U.S. citizenship to receive treatment in the U.S.
To learn more about Charlie's condition and the case, click here.