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1 year ago
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Baby Indi Gregory who was at the centre of a legal argument over her treatment has died after having her breathing tube removed.
Eight month old Indi, who was suffering from an incurable genetic mitochondrial condition, had been involved in several High Court and Court of Appeal cases.
Judges ruled she should die but last week Italy stepped in and made her an Italian citizen in a last minute legal bid to bring her to a Rome hospital for treatment.
But on Friday that attempt failed, and her parents Dean Gregory and Claire Stanforth were told that her breathing tube would be removed.
She was moved from the Queen Medical Centre in Nottingham to a hospice where she died in the early hours of Monday morning.
Baby Indi Gregory who was at the centre of a legal argument over her treatment has died after having her breathing tube removed
Indi pictured at her christening alongside her parents Claire Staniforth and Dean Gregory
In a statement to Italian media Dean said: 'Indi's life ended at 01.45am. My wife Clare and I are angry, heartbroken and ashamed.
'The NHS and the courts have not only taken away her chance to live a longer life, but they also took away her dignity to die in the family home where she belonged.
'They managed to take Indi's body and dignity, but they will never be able to take her soul.
'I knew she was special from the day she was born, they tried to get rid of her without anyone knowing but Clare and I made sure she would be remembered forever.'
The heartbroken parents failed to persuade Court of Appeal judges and judges at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France, to keep her on life-support machines and have her transferred to a Vatican's children's hospital in Rome.
Indi suffered from a rare, incurable and degenerative mitochondrial disease which meant that her cells did not produce enough energy.
Her doctors said she suffered from significant pain and distress and there was no point in further treatment. The High Court and Court of Appeal in London agreed, with a last ruling on Friday.
Baby Indi Gregory with her mother Claire Staniford. The baby has now died after her life support was switched off
Eight month old Indi (pictured with her father Dean), who was suffering from an incurable genetic mitochondrial condition, had been involved in several High Court and Court of Appeal cases
Indi's parents had lost legal fights in London to continue treatment for their baby. The eight month old baby has now died after her life support was withdrawn
Indi suffered from a rare, incurable and degenerative mitochondrial disease which meant that her cells did not produce enough energy
Last week, the Italian government had granted Indi Italian citizenship in a fruitless move aimed at stopping her from being taken off life support and allow her move to Italy.
On Saturday, Pope Francis released a statement backing the family, saying he was praying for Indi and all children suffering from war and diseases.
He said: 'Pope Francis embraces the family of little Indi Gregory, her father and mother, prays for them and for her, and turns his thoughts to all the children around the world in these same hours who are living in pain or risking their lives because of disease and war.'
Indi was moved from a hospital in Nottingham to a hospice on Saturday where she was taken off life support.
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