Family of Southend boy waiting to find out judge's decision on life-support
Archie Battersbee has been unconscious since April
The family of 12 year-old Archie Battersbee from Southend are now waiting to hear a judge's ruling over the future of his life-support treatment.
Doctors treating the boy in London think he's "brain-stem dead" and say treatment should end.
Archie’s parents, Hollie Dance and Paul Battersbee, from Southend, say the youngster’s heart is still beating and want treatment to continue.
Lawyers representing the Royal London Hospital’s governing trust, Barts Health NHS Trust, have asked Mrs Justice Arbuthnot to decide what moves are in Archie’s best interests.
Mrs Justice Arbuthnot on Wednesday finished overseeing a hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London.
She said she aimed to deliver ruling on Monday.
The judge heard that Archie suffered brain damage in an incident at home in early April.
Ms Dance told how she found him unconscious on April 7 and thinks he might have been taking part in an online challenge.
The youngster has not regained consciousness.
Lawyers representing Archie’s family have told the judge that his heart is still beating.
They also say there was an issue as to whether “the correct procedure” had been followed, and whether the “family’s views” had been taken into account.
A campaign organisation called the Christian Legal Centre is supporting Archie’s family.