Jahi McMath: Deadline to Keep Brain Dead California Teenager on Life Support Extended
Life support for Jahi McMath has been extended to Jan. 7.
Dec. 30, 2013— -- The family of a teenager who was declared brain dead after tonsil surgery said today it plans to sue to keep her on life support as a judge extended a court order today to keep her on a ventilator.
A judge extended life support for Jahi McMath, 13, until Jan. 7, just as a previous court order was set to expire today, according to an order filed in Alameda County Superior Court.
Jahi's uncle, Omari Sealy, told ABCNews.com gaining the extension "took a lot of effort on our attorney's part and a lot of effort on our part."
"We're just grateful," Sealy said. "We want to thank God and everybody out there who prays for us. Keep praying, it's working."
Jahi was declared brain dead following surgery to remove her tonsils and adenoids on Dec. 9.
Despite multiple doctors agreeing the teenager is brain dead, her family has battled the Children's Hospital Oakland to keep her alive.
After getting rejected by several facilities in California, the family extended its search cross-country and had pinned its hopes on a New York facility, Chris Dolan, an attorney for the family, told The Associated Press on Sunday.
Dolan declined to name the facility and Sealy did not want to comment tonight about whether it was still being considered as a potential place for his niece to be treated.