Washington, DC, hospital sues to remove boy, 12, from life support

The family of a 12-year-old New York City boy is entangled in a legal fight with Washington, DC-based Children's National Medical Center over whether doctors can cease life support because they believe he is brain-dead. In filings, the hospital extended its sympathy to the family but said the boy should no longer be on its equipment, saying that "scarce resources are being used for the preservation of a deceased body." The hospital has taken the dispute to Washington, DC, Superior Court.