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Father Under Investigation For Baby's Injuries
UPDATED: 8:54 pm EDT April 29,
2004
AKRON, Ohio -- A 5-month-old Mansfield baby will be allowed to die.
Summit County Probate Judge Bill Spicer ruled Thursday to allow a guardian to remove life support from Aiden Stein.
Spicer appointed attorney Ellen Kaforey as guardian of Aiden, at the request of Akron Children's Hospital, saying that the baby's parents, Arica Heimlich and Matthew Stein, were unfit to make the decision.
Doctors at Akron Children's Hospital said that the baby was brain dead and had no chance for recovery.
In a 25-page decision, Spicer wrote, "Aiden's existence is not life, but a cruel shadow of life."Heimlich and Stein, both 21, wanted the infant to live.
The father is suspected of shaking the child, which is believed to have caused the injuries. Aiden suffered severe skull and brain injuries on March 15.
Summit County Probate Judge Bill Spicer ruled Thursday to allow a guardian to remove life support from Aiden Stein.
Spicer appointed attorney Ellen Kaforey as guardian of Aiden, at the request of Akron Children's Hospital, saying that the baby's parents, Arica Heimlich and Matthew Stein, were unfit to make the decision.
Doctors at Akron Children's Hospital said that the baby was brain dead and had no chance for recovery.
In a 25-page decision, Spicer wrote, "Aiden's existence is not life, but a cruel shadow of life."Heimlich and Stein, both 21, wanted the infant to live.
The father is suspected of shaking the child, which is believed to have caused the injuries. Aiden suffered severe skull and brain injuries on March 15.
Previous Stories:
- 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
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