McDaniel v. Cook Children's Medical Center

In contrast to 2007 to 2010, the press has not lately been
covering many cases involving Texas hospitals’ unilateral refusal of
life-sustaining treatment.  But there is
one new case this month (reported by Spero News).

12-year-old boy, Zach McDaniel suffered a gunshot wound to
his head as a bystander during a drug-deal in Abilene, Texas.  Zach
underwent emergency surgery and then was transferred to Cook Children's Medical
Center in Ft. Worth for advanced treatment.

Upon transfer, Zach was admitted to the pediatric intensive care
unit. Heavily sedated and connected to a ventilator, doctors painted a grim
picture for his parents. Cook medical officials told the boy's parents that
part of Zach's brain was removed during his emergency surgery. The doctors told
them that his prognosis for survival was poor and encouraged them to consent to
comfort measures only.  The parents apparently refused.

On August 13, the hospital convened an "ethics panel"
but apparently not in a manner consistent with the Texas Advance Directives
Act.  Nevertheless, clinicians at Cook Children' proceeded to withdraw
artificial nutrition and hydration.  After
the parents contacted Texas Right to Life, clinicians removed
the (unilaterally placed) DNR order and reinstated food and
water.  But they again told the parents that he didn't want to treat their
son.  

The hospital plans to reconvene the ethics panel in a
manner consistent with Texas Health and Safety Code 166.046, so that they can
proceed to stop treatment without the parents' consent.