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Archie Battersbee: Family devastated as legal routes exhausted Archie Battersbee: Family devastated as legal routes exhausted
(about 3 hours later)
Archie Battersbee suffered brain damage in an incident at home on 7 April and has not regained consciousnessArchie Battersbee suffered brain damage in an incident at home on 7 April and has not regained consciousness
The family of Archie Battersbee are "devastated" that all legal routes have been exhausted, campaign group Christian Concern has said. The mother of Archie Battersbee says she has done everything she promised her son she would do as the family prepare for his life support to be withdrawn on Saturday.
They had asked the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) to intervene, but were told it "fell outside" its scope.
The 12-year-old must spend his final days in hospital after the High Court ruled he could not move to a hospice.The 12-year-old must spend his final days in hospital after the High Court ruled he could not move to a hospice.
The family requested the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) intervene, but was told it "fell outside" its scope. Archie's mother, Hollie Dance, told Sky News she was "broken".
Archie has not regained consciousness since being found at his home in Southend, Essex, on 7 April. Her son has not regained consciousness since being found at his home in Southend, Essex, in April.
In an interview with Sky News, Ms Dance said: "The last however many weeks since 7 April, I don't think there's been a day that hasn't been awful really."
She added: "It's been really hard. Despite the hard strong face and appearance obviously in front of the cameras up until now, I've been pretty broken."
She said the hospital had made it clear there were no more options and that life support would be withdrawn on Saturday.
Asked if there was anything more she could do, Ms Dance, of Southend, Essex, said: "No. I've done everything that I promised my little boy I'd do. And I've done it."
Archie's mother, Hollie Dance, had said she wanted him "in a peaceful hospice to say goodbye"
The family's long legal battle to continue his life-sustaining treatment ended when the ECHR said it "would not interfere" with the UK courts' rulings, paving the way for support to be stopped.The family's long legal battle to continue his life-sustaining treatment ended when the ECHR said it "would not interfere" with the UK courts' rulings, paving the way for support to be stopped.
They hoped to move him to a hospice but doctors warned he was too unstable to move by ambulance and it would "hasten premature deterioration".They hoped to move him to a hospice but doctors warned he was too unstable to move by ambulance and it would "hasten premature deterioration".
Archie's mother, Hollie Dance, had said she wanted him "in a peaceful hospice to say goodbye"
The High Court ruled Archie should remain at Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, east London.The High Court ruled Archie should remain at Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, east London.
The family sought permission to appeal against the decision, but that bid was rejected by three justices at the Court of Appeal.The family sought permission to appeal against the decision, but that bid was rejected by three justices at the Court of Appeal.
They then asked the ECHR to intervene, but late on Friday, the court said the request could not be dealt with.They then asked the ECHR to intervene, but late on Friday, the court said the request could not be dealt with.
A spokesman with campaign group Christian Concern, which is supporting Archie's family, said: "All legal routes have been exhausted. A spokesman for campaign group Christian Concern, which is supporting Archie's family, said: "All legal routes have been exhausted.
"The family are devastated and are spending precious time with Archie.""The family are devastated and are spending precious time with Archie."
The hospital has not confirmed when treatment will be withdrawn, but Christian Concern says the family have been told it will be withdrawn on Saturday.
Responding to the High Court's hospice ruling earlier on Friday, Archie's mum, Hollie Dance, said: "All our wishes as a family have been denied by the authorities.
"We are broken, but we are keeping going, because we love Archie and refuse to give up on him."
Archie's family said a breakdown in trust meant Archie would not die with peace and dignity in hospitalArchie's family said a breakdown in trust meant Archie would not die with peace and dignity in hospital
Archie was found unconscious at home and his mother believes he may have been taking part in an online challenge.Archie was found unconscious at home and his mother believes he may have been taking part in an online challenge.
He suffered "catastrophic" brain injuries and doctors think it is "highly likely" he is brain-stem dead.He suffered "catastrophic" brain injuries and doctors think it is "highly likely" he is brain-stem dead.
Life-sustaining support, including mechanical ventilation and drug treatments, has been in place since April.Life-sustaining support, including mechanical ventilation and drug treatments, has been in place since April.
'Unconditional love''Unconditional love'
In her ruling earlier on Friday, Mrs Justice Theis concluded it was not in Archie's best interests to be moved. In her ruling earlier on Friday, taking into account medical evidence, Mrs Justice Theis concluded it was not in Archie's best interests to be moved.
She said: "Archie's best interests must remain at the core of any conclusions reached by this court.She said: "Archie's best interests must remain at the core of any conclusions reached by this court.
"When considering the wishes of the family, why those wishes are held, the facilities at the hospice, what Archie is likely to have wanted... the risks involved in a transfer... and the increasing fragility of his medical condition, I am satisfied... he should remain at the hospital when treatment is withdrawn.""When considering the wishes of the family, why those wishes are held, the facilities at the hospice, what Archie is likely to have wanted... the risks involved in a transfer... and the increasing fragility of his medical condition, I am satisfied... he should remain at the hospital when treatment is withdrawn."
Mrs Justice Theis also noted Archie's family's "unconditional love and dedication", which she said had been a "golden thread that runs through this case".Mrs Justice Theis also noted Archie's family's "unconditional love and dedication", which she said had been a "golden thread that runs through this case".
"I hope now Archie can be afforded the opportunity for him to die in peaceful circumstances, with the family who meant so much to him as he clearly does to them.""I hope now Archie can be afforded the opportunity for him to die in peaceful circumstances, with the family who meant so much to him as he clearly does to them."
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