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Print This StoryRuling: 7-Month-Old May Be Removed From Life Support
Baby's Father Suspected Of Injuring Boy
UPDATED: 6:06 pm EDT June 9,
2004
AKRON, Ohio -- An appeals court upheld a lower court ruling
Wednesday that a comatose 7-month-old boy may be removed from life
support.
Matthew Stein and Arica Heimlich, the 21-year-old parents of
Aiden Stein of Mansfield, asked the 9th Ohio District Court of
Appeals to overturn an April ruling by Summit County Probate Judge
Bill Spicer. Matthew Stein is suspected of injuring the baby while alone with
him on March 15, police said. Stein is under investigation but has
not been charged and has denied harming or shaking Aiden. Spicer appointed attorney Ellen Kaforey as guardian at the
request of Akron Children's Hospital and she has said she would
withdraw Aiden's life support, as doctors have suggested. Attorneys for Kaforey said Aiden would be removed from life
support at noon Friday, allowing the parents time to file a
possible appeal to the state Supreme Court."I believe that all the research and the experts point to the fact that he is in a persistent vegetative state with no hope of recovery," said Kaforey. "So why not let the poor child die with some dignity?"But Summit County Right To Life thinks removing the child from life support is an ominous step, reported Harvey.The group put up a billboard that says a stranger wants to, "remove all food and water until the baby is dead.""If this goes through with Aiden, we'll do what you do when a baby dies," said Don Oppihle. "We'll grieve with the mother and the father, who, incidentally has been charged with absolutely nothing."Attorneys for Kaforey said Aiden would be removed from life support at noon Friday, allowing the parents time to file a possible appeal to the state Supreme Court.Kaforey sent a letter to the parents, asking for the family to meet at Akron Children's Hospital within 48 hours to discuss the matter.The appeals court ruled that Spicer was correct in ruling that the baby's injuries were the result of shaken baby syndrome. The appeals court ruled that Spicer was correct in ruling that
the baby's injuries were the result of shaken baby syndrome.
Matthew Stein and Arica Heimlich, the 21-year-old parents of
Aiden Stein of Mansfield, asked the 9th Ohio District Court of
Appeals to overturn an April ruling by Summit County Probate Judge
Bill Spicer. Matthew Stein is suspected of injuring the baby while alone with
him on March 15, police said. Stein is under investigation but has
not been charged and has denied harming or shaking Aiden. Spicer appointed attorney Ellen Kaforey as guardian at the
request of Akron Children's Hospital and she has said she would
withdraw Aiden's life support, as doctors have suggested. Attorneys for Kaforey said Aiden would be removed from life
support at noon Friday, allowing the parents time to file a
possible appeal to the state Supreme Court."I believe that all the research and the experts point to the fact that he is in a persistent vegetative state with no hope of recovery," said Kaforey. "So why not let the poor child die with some dignity?"But Summit County Right To Life thinks removing the child from life support is an ominous step, reported Harvey.The group put up a billboard that says a stranger wants to, "remove all food and water until the baby is dead.""If this goes through with Aiden, we'll do what you do when a baby dies," said Don Oppihle. "We'll grieve with the mother and the father, who, incidentally has been charged with absolutely nothing."Attorneys for Kaforey said Aiden would be removed from life support at noon Friday, allowing the parents time to file a possible appeal to the state Supreme Court.Kaforey sent a letter to the parents, asking for the family to meet at Akron Children's Hospital within 48 hours to discuss the matter.The appeals court ruled that Spicer was correct in ruling that the baby's injuries were the result of shaken baby syndrome. The appeals court ruled that Spicer was correct in ruling that
the baby's injuries were the result of shaken baby syndrome.
Previous Stories:
- May 26, 2004: Appeals Court Considers Life-Support For Baby
- May 4, 2004: Comatose Baby To Remain On Life Support
- May 3, 2004: Court To Rule If Brain-Dead Baby Can Die
- April 30, 2004: Appeal Lets Baby Temporarily Stay On Life Support
- April 29, 2004: Judge: 5-Month-Old Allowed To Die
- April 26, 2004: Judge To Decide If Baby Should Be Removed From Life-Support
- April 21, 2004: 13-Year-Old Aunt Testifies In Life-Support Baby Case
- April 16, 2004: Doctor Testifies In Shaken Baby Case
- April 15, 2004: Lawyer: Couple Should Keep Control Of Baby's Medical Care
- April 14, 2004: Doctors Want To Pull Plug On Brain-Dead Baby
- April 9, 2004: Court Considers Whether Baby Should Stay On Life Support
Copyright 2004 by NewsNet5. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
