Court Hearing Continued in Hospital, Family Fight

Hospital wants to take 12-year-old boy off life support

A court could soon intervene in a fight shaping up between Children's Hospital and the family of a 12-year-old New York boy on life support.

Doctors at the hospital want to take Motl Brody, who suffers from suffer brain cancer, off life support, saying the boy is brain dead. But, Brody's family has refused, saying their Orthodox Jewish faith does not support the hospital's theory that death is a cessation of brain function alone.

The boy's parents, Eluzer and Miriam Brody, said their son is still very much alive, with his circulatory and respiratory systems functioning, albeit with the help of assistance through hospital equipment.

Jeff Zuckerman, the family's attorney, spoke with reporters on Monday, saying the 12-year-old's lungs and heart are still functioning, which means, according to the family's faith, Motl Brody is still alive.

A judge at the D.C. Superior Court was scheduled to hear the case at 10:30 a.m. Monday, but the hearing was continued until Thursday.

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