Update (May 3, 2021): Tinslee Lewis, a 2-year-old baby who has remained hospitalized since birth while suffering from multiple complications, continues to await her fate as her family is embroiled in a legal battle with Cook Children’s Medical Center, which is attempting to take the child off life support. But the family is fighting for their right to keep their loved one alive, WFAA reported.
Cook Children’s Medical Center, which filed its appeal with the 48th District Court of Fort Worth on April 16, said the baby has been kept alive with medical care and “extreme efforts.”
The hospital also said in its appeal that Texas has spent $24 million in Medicaid funds to help keep the toddler alive.
"As would be expected in light of the extreme efforts that have been required to keep T.L. alive since birth, Cook Children’s and its physicians have incurred more than $24 million in billable charges for T.L.’s medical care through 2020," court documents stated.
Tinslee, who was born prematurely, suffers from a rare heart defect, chronic lung disease and severe chronic pulmonary hypertension. Trinity Lewis has been fighting for her daughter since last year when a Texas judge ruled that the hospital can remove the child from life support. However, the Texas Supreme Court then denied the hospital’s petition to take Tinslee off life support, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported.
The federal Supreme Court also rejected the hospital’s plea. If the 48th District Court now rules in favor of the family, the hospital will have to continue to give treatment. Cook Children’s Medical Center, which is asking for a trial on July 26, said the baby “remains terminal with no medical treatment to improve her long-term prognosis.”
“Tinslee also only survived until now because she has been subject to extreme and aggressive treatments well beyond the standard of care,” the hospital added. “Tinslee continues to suffer and her medical condition has continued to decline necessitating an emergency tracheostomy on March 30.”
Original (January 3, 2020): Despite a mother’s requests, a Texas judge ruled a hospital can remove her 11-month-old daughter from life support, giving her only seven days to live.
Tinslee Lewis was born prematurely and suffers from a rare heart defect, chronic lung disease and severe chronic pulmonary hypertension. She has been hospitalized since birth, reports ABC.
Tinslee's family has been fighting to continue medical treatment while Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth has planned to stop providing care.
On Thursday, Judge Sandee B. Marion of the Texas Fourth Court of Appeals denied a temporary injunction filed by the family which would have kept her on life support for several more weeks.
The hospital decided to stop treatment after doctors said Tinslee is suffering and her conditions are irreversible, determining their efforts to keep her alive are only doing more damage.
“Cook Children's has been devoted to this precious baby her entire life, providing compassionate, round-the-clock, intensive care and attention since she arrived at our hospital 11 months ago," a statement from the hospital read. "Her body is tired. She is suffering. It's time to end this cycle because, tragically, none of these efforts will ever make her better."
The hospital had previously contacted about 20 facilities located all over the country, but they all agreed that there isn't anything more that can be done, reports CNN.
The medical center informed Lewis’ family that they would withdraw life support in 10 days, using the Texas Advance Directives Act. The 10-day rule is used when doctors and family members disagree on withdrawing life support. The law states doctors and facilities are not obligated to continue life-sustaining care after the 10th day of a written decision.
Kim Brown, a spokesperson for the hospital, said the hospital will delay action for seven days in order to allow the family to decide whether they want to appeal the ruling.
"Today's decision from Chief Justice Sandee B. Marion restores the ability of the Cook Children's medical staff to make the most compassionate and medically appropriate decisions for Tinslee as she struggles in pain to survive each day," the statement read. "This is an emotional and difficult situation for everyone involved, especially for this family who had high hopes that Tinslee would get better."
Trinity Lewis, Tinslee's mother, said she should be the one to determine whether to stop care. She issued a statement through anti-abortion group Texas Right to Life, calling the judge’s ruling frustrating.
"I am heartbroken over today's decision because the judge basically said Tinslee's life is NOT worth living. I feel frustrated because anyone in that courtroom would want more time just like I do if Tinslee were their baby,” the statement read. “I hope that we can keep fighting through an appeal to protect Tinslee. She deserves the right to live. Please keep praying for Tinslee and thank you for supporting us during this difficult time."
The family has the support of Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
"The Attorney General's office will be supporting an appeal of this case to the Second Court of Appeals. The State of Texas is fully prepared to continue its support of Ms. Lewis in the Supreme Court if necessary. We are working diligently to do all we can to ensure that Tinslee and her family are provided the care and support that they seek," Abbott and Paxton said in a joint statement.
