Mom Of Brain-Dead Vacaville Toddler Granted 1 Week Extension

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - A federal judge in California is granting a one-week extension for a mother's request to keep her toddler on life support to give an appeals court time to weigh in.

U.S. District Court Judge Kimberly Mueller in Sacramento ruled Friday in the case of 2-year-old Israel Stinson. Two hospitals have determined he is brain dead.

Mueller rejected Jonee Fonseca's request for a permanent court order requiring Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Roseville to keep her son on life support. She wants ample time to find another facility for him.

But Mueller gave Fonseca a week to appeal her decision, and Fonseca's attorney says they will do so.

Fonseca says Israel moved in response to touch even after he was declared dead.

Hospital attorneys say Israel's condition will not improve.

Kaiser issued the following statement on Friday

Today, the federal court denied the family's challenge to the state law and the steps that Kaiser Permanente followed in this case.  Kaiser Permanente will continue providing mechanical support as directed by the court, so the family has the opportunity to appeal.

We remain ready to work to facilitate the family's request to transfer Israel to another facility, if another placement is identified.

Unfortunately, the family has not granted us a privacy release so we are prevented from providing further details.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.