The Virginia Supreme Court denied a request Friday by the Richmond-based Virginia Commonwealth University Health System to perform tests to determine whether a 2-year-old is brain dead, according to WTVR news.
Mirranda Grace Lawson has been at VCU Medical Center since May after choking on a piece of popcorn. Physicians at the hospital believe Ms. Lawson is past the point of recovery and want to administer an apnea test to see if the girl can live without the help of machines. If the test determines she is brain dead, physicians would have to stop treatment. Ms. Lawson's parents are currently fighting the hospital in court to keep the girl on life support.
The Richmond Circuit Court ruled against the Lawsons last month and approved the hospital's request to perform the test. The Supreme Court ruling effectively prevents the hospital from doing so.
VCU Health has appealed the high court's decision. The hearing will take place in September.
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