Michigan Hospital Won't Accept Baby Joseph

Helen Whalen Cohen | February 24, 2011 3:29 PM

Doctors at the Victoria Hospital in London will not perform a tracheotomy on Joseph Maraachli (Baby Joseph), calling the procedure "too risky", according to a representative at the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition. The alternative proposed by the hospital is to remove the baby's breathing tube, ensuring his death in the hospital.

Baby Joseph's family is still looking for a hospital to perform the tracheotomy, after the Michigan Children's Hospital decided against accepting him. They are disappointed, but are looking for other hospitals that might take him, according to the Montreal Gazette.

The London Health Sciences Centre has asked the Office of the Public Guardian to allow Baby Joseph's breathing tube to be removed, in spite of his parents wishes. There is no timetable for the request to be approved or denied.