Charlie Gard, the British baby who had been at the center of a high-profile legal battle over his medical care, has passed away.
He was only 11 months old.
The child was born with a rare genetic condition and spent a majority of his life in the hospital.
Charlie’s parents, Connie Yates and Chris Gard, fought a lengthy and emotional legal battle to take their severely ill son to the United States for treatment, a move that was eventually denied by judges.
The tragic case made global headlines, with President Donald Trump Tweeting about it just a few weeks ago.
This is what he wrote at the time:
Pope Francis also weighed on the debate, with the Vatican saying the pontiff prayed for the parents and “their wish to accompany and treat their child until the end is not neglected.”
Around the globe, a countless number of supporters made their voices heard, earning the nickname “Charlie’s Army” in the process.
They raised over 1.35 million pounds online, but were unable to influence the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court… all of which ruled life support treatment should end and Charlie should be allowed to die with dignity.
He passed away while in a hospice facility.
The couple ended its legal battle on July 24, in what they referred to as the “most painful of decisions.”
An end-of-life plan for baby Charlie was then approved on Thursday by High Court judge Nicholas Francis.
Gard was born on August 4 and inherited the faulty RRM2B gene that affects the cells responsible for energy production and respiration, leaving him unable to move or breathe unaided.
His parents yearned to give him experimental, unproven nucleoside therapy, provided by American neuroscientist Michio Hirano.
Throughout the lengthy legal process – which saw an appeal rejected the European Court of Human Rights – physicians at Great Ormond Street maintained this treatment had little chance of success.
They said it would kinder for life support to be switched off.
Upon confirming the passing of her son, Connie simply wrote, “Our beautiful little boy has gone, we are so proud of you Charlie.”
May he rest in peace.