South Jersey Mom Gets To Maintain Life Support For Son For Now

The fight for the life of a 14-year-old boy with autism on life support at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) will continue.

A judge ruled Friday that the Areen Chakrabarti can remain on life support while the case will be transferred to another court, according to attorney Christopher Bagnato.

A CHOP representative said the hospital didn’t have any information related to the case to share with Patch on Friday.

The ruling was viewed as a victory for Chakrabarti and her mom, who has claimed the hospital was set to take her son off life support after he was severely injured in a house fire in Bordentown, Burlington County, on April 14.

"Yes, this is good news. The fight continues," Bagnato said.

A fire broke out at the home on April 14. Chakrabarti, who is autistic, ran into the home because he was confused by the situation. He suffered from mass smoke inhalation, and was taken to Capital Health Regional Medical Center. From there, he was transferred to CHOP.

On April 15, CHOP evaluated Charkrabarti, who was determined to be “likely brain dead,” Bagnato said.

Under CHOP regulations, a second test is conducted within 48 hours. If the same result comes through, the patient is deemed to be deceased. In this case, Charkrabati’s family asked for the second test to be delayed, and CHOP agreed.

Earlier this week, CHOP said it couldn’t wait any longer to run the second evaluation. At that point, Charkrabti’s family hired Bagnato, who filed an emergency injunction. They went to court on Thursday, Bagnato said.

CHOP conducted the second evaluation at the same time the hearing was taking place. During the hearing, the results came in that said Charkrabti was still considered brain dead. The judge put off a decision until Friday, allowing for CHOP to supplement the record, Bagnato said.

CHOP added the note, but Bagnato argued that without a death certificate, the child couldn’t be considered dead. On Friday, he received an email from the judge stating the case would be transferred to the Orphan’s Court Division from the Court of Common Pleas in Philadelphia, and the case will continue.

A similar case is unfolding in Europe, where a 23-month-old on life support is not being permitted to leave the United Kingdom to go to a hospital in The Vatican, as his parents wish, because leaving the country is not in his best interests, according to The Express. The family wants him to be transferred so he can receive the best treatment possible from a hospital that is willing to take him, at the behest of Pope Francis.

Courts in Britain have ruled in favor of the hospital as recently as this week, according to CNN.

The attached images of Areen Chakrabarti were provided