A devastated family in Texas has taken legal action to stop a hospital from declaring their two-year-old daughter brain dead following a tragic incident where she was found at the bottom of a hotel swimming pool.
The incident occurred on Memorial Day, May 25, in Houston, when young Annelise Camp, who had been celebrating with her family, removed her life jacket and wandered into the pool, as her father, Johnston Camp, shared with FOX 26.
Annelise’s older cousin was quick to pull her out of the water, prompting family members to perform CPR until emergency personnel arrived, Johnston recounted.
After nearly an hour, Annelise’s heart began beating again, and she has since been receiving medical care at Texas Children’s Hospital, according to her father.
However, the family was alarmed when a doctor suggested that Annelise be declared brain dead just two days following her admission to the hospital.
“Even if there’s a one percent or five percent chance of recovery, we’re willing to take it,” the heartbroken father expressed to the news outlet.
On Friday, the Camp family obtained a temporary restraining order blocking the hospital from making that determination because they want her to keep receiving the care she needs, according to court documents reviewed by the Daily Mail.
The family and hospital have agreed to allow for brain death testing to continue pending a June 11 hearing, records showed.
Annelise Camp, two, was celebrating Memorial Day on May 25 at a hotel in Houston, Texas, with family when she suddenly fell into the pool
It took almost an hour for Annelise’s heartbeat to come back, and since then, she’s been at Texas Children’s Hospital receiving treatment
‘If she would’ve been declared brain dead, it could’ve greatly limited her ability to receive treatment moving forward,’ he told KTRK.
Johnston made it clear that the hospital staff has ‘been wonderful,’ but it’s the legal system that is giving the family ‘certain restraints,’ he told the outlet.
He also said that he has seen his daughter improve, and wants to allow that to keep happening.
‘With all these positive results, you can’t cut her lifeline off four or five days into it and prevent her from additional treatments,’ Johnston stated.
According to the court documents, the hospital has also agreed to work on trying to get Annelise transferred to another medical facility that can provide more treatment options.
Brain death testing is set to begin on Friday, or as soon as possible, court records showed.
Though the situation seems unconventional, it is not uncommon, Dr. Heidi Russell told FOX 26.
Russell, a medical ethics expert with Rice University’s Baker Institute, said that legal problems like this arise because families and doctors look at cases from two different points of view.
Johnston said that he has seen his daughter improve, and wants that to keep happening
According to the court documents, the hospital has also agreed to work on trying to get Annelise (pictured with her mother and father) transferred to another medical facility that can provide more treatment options
‘The family has not had much time to grieve and process. So there is, I can imagine, a tremendous amount of hope remaining in them that if given a little bit more time, maybe the outcome will be different,’ Russel explained.
The expert also said that when it comes to brain death decisions, more than one physician is typically involved.
Doctors often consult with multiple medical professionals, attorneys, leadership, and medical ethics experts to determine the best course of action.
Russell noted that courts get involved when families disagree with treatment options and want more time for the patient.
A spokesperson with Texas Children’s Hospital acknowledged the case, telling the Daily Mail: ‘Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with the family and their loved ones.
‘Our expert and dedicated clinical team is exhausting all medically viable options and we continue to work hard to honor the family’s wishes during this difficult time. Out of respect for their privacy, we are unable to comment further.’
Since the near-fatal drowning accident, two online fundraisers have been launched to help support the family.
Since the near-drowning accident, two online donation fundraisers have been launched to help support the family
A GoFundMe page stated that Annelise is ‘fighting for her life in the PICU’ and that her loved ones are ‘holding onto hope and prayerfully believing for a complete miracle of healing and restoration.’
A GiveSendGo page was also launched to help raise funds for the family.
‘The road ahead is long and uncertain, with extensive medical care, therapies, and support required for her healing,’ the fundraiser read.
