CHARLIE GARD’S PARENTS HAVE DECIDED TO END THEIR LEGAL BATTLE AND ARE MAKING PLANS TO WITHDRAW HIS LIFE SUPPORT.

Winchester, VA – The Independent is reporting that Chris Gard and Connie Yates, the parents of 11 month old Charlie Gard, who has been at the Great Ormond Street Hospital in London on life support with severe mitochondrial depletion syndrome, have decided to end their legal battle with the hospital to try the experimental nucleoside treatment. Gard and Yates said in a statement, “It is no longer in Charlie’s best interests to pursue this course of treatment.” Lawyer Grant Armstrong said in court today, that Gard and Yates were “extremely distressed” by the results of Charlie’s new medical tests, and said “For Charlie it is too late. The damage has been done.” All doctors are now in agreement that the experimental treatment holds no hope for Charlie. Americans United For Life representative Catherine Glenn Foster tweeted the developments live from the courtroom. Although American Doctor Michio Hirano is still willing to treat Charlie, because the hospital wasted time in fighting the family over the proposed therapy, they missed the 1-2 month window in which treatment would have been helpful. Armstrong confirmed that Gard and Yates had received the results of the medical testing on Friday night and that the medical experts discussed them over the weekend.Charlie’s brain damage was in fact not as extensive as had been suggested, but the muscle atrophy was insurmountable, even with the nucleoside therapy. Charlie’s parents negotiated with the Great Ormond Street Hospital this morning and will now be working with the hospital and the judge to figure out the details of Charlie’s passing.  Foster said that the family and their supporters looked gutted in the courtroom, and there was a lot of sobbing. Chris Gard and Connie Yates expressed thanks to the international team of doctors who had contributed their opinions on Charlie, and they also thanked all those who donated, petitioned, and supported them. Kate Gollop, representing the Great Ormond Street Hospital said, “I’m more sorry than I have words to say” and said that the hearts of all at the Great Ormond Street Hospital go out to Chris, Connie and Charlie. The judge commended Charlie’s parents, the hospital, and the team of international experts for their work on behalf of Charlie. He also commended the lawyers, especially those who worked for Gard and Yates pro-bono. Connie Yates, with Chris Gard at her side, gave a statement at the end of the court hearing.  She said because Charlie was left to lie there and deteriorate, we will never never know what Charlie’s life could have been. She said all they wanted was to give Charlie his chance and that they should have been trusted as his parents. Due to lack of access to the raw data of his testing, they could never get experts to examine him until these last weeks. She said they could not have more love and pride for their beautiful boy, and thanked Charlie for bringing the world together. They said, in reference to a foundation they will be starting, that they will make sure that the next Charlie gets the treatment he deserves. She concluded that Charlie was too special for this cruel world, saying Sleep tight…Our little hero.”