Ending Life Support Means Murder for Dad
May 9, 2002 -- Imprisoned father Moises Ibarra cannot let doctors take his son Christopher off life support — or else he may be charged with murder.
Eight-month-old Christopher Ibarra has been in a coma, breathing with the help of a respirator, since December when, prosecutors allege, his father shook and threw him into his crib during an argument with the boy's mother.
Moises Ibarra, 23, is in a Santa Ana, Calif., jail awaiting trial on child abuse charges while his infant son lies motionless in his hospital crib. Medical experts in a social services report on Christopher's case believe his brain damage is so severe he has no chance at recovery.
Christopher's mother, Tamara Sepulveda, also 23, does not want to see her son suffer anymore and wants him pulled off life support. However, she has brain damage from a childhood injury and social workers blame her for not doing more to protect Christopher, especially since her relationship with her boyfriend was so volatile. She has temporarily lost her rights as a parent to decide Christopher's fate.
Moises has refused to let doctors take his son off life support. According to his public defender, David Dworakowski, Moises is hoping for a miracle and wants to explore all medical options before deciding whether Christopher should be taken off life support. There is a debate, Dworakowski has argued in court, over Christopher's chances of recovery.
Conflict of Parent’s Interests
Prosecutors and Ibarra's detractors believe he is only interested in keeping himself from being prosecuted for murder. Police officials have said they would recommend murder charges to the prosecutor's office if Christopher dies. Christopher has been taken out of his parents' care and placed in the temporary custody of Orange County's Child and Family Services.
A family court judge has appointed a legal guardian to represent Christopher and his best interests, a move challenged by Ibarra. This week a municipal court judge is hearing Christopher's case, and he will decide who will ultimately determine the boy's fate.
