Alfie Evans' parents lose battle to keep his life support switched on
A High Court judge has ruled that doctors at Alder Hey can stop providing life-support treatment to 21-month-old Alfie Evans
Last updated 20th Feb 2018
The parents of a seriously ill little boy from Liverpool have lost their fight to keep his life support switched on.
Specialists at Alder Hey had asked a High Court judge to allow them to stop providing life support treatment to 21-month-old Alfie Evans.
Alfie's parents Kate James and Tom Evans, who are both in their 20s, wanted treatment to continue.
But at the High Court on Tuesday afternoon - Mr Justice Hayden ruled in favour of hospital bosses after analysing the dispute in detail.
He heard that Alfie, who was born on May 9th, 2016, was in a "semi-vegetative state'' and had a degenerative neurological condition doctors had not definitively diagnosed.
Doctors said continuing to provide life support treatment was "unkind, unfair and inhumane''.
Alfie's parents believe that he responds to them.
The judge had visited Alfie in hospital and has praised his parents, saying they tried to explore every avenue, and leave no stone unturned.
Alfie's mum had left the court in tears before Mr Justice Hayden reached his conclusion.
His father had stayed, but broke down as the judge announced his decision.