A Vancouver, B.C. couple has won a temporary injunction against the provincial government to keep their four-month-old daughter on life support.
Born prematurely in April, Mary Jane Pierce suffers from cerebral palsy and has been in hospital since birth. She is on a ventilator, has frequent seizures and has already suffered multiple brain bleeds.
Her parents Justin Pierce and Michelle Arnold say the Ministry of Children and Family Development has temporary custody of the child, and Pierce alleges officials want to take Mary Jane off life support.
"They thought that she wasn't going to make it and so the ministry got involved and tried to pull her off life support without our permission," Pierce told CTV Vancouver.
According to the couple's lawyer, Jack Hittrich, the baby was scheduled to be transferred to a hospice on Tuesday morning before a B.C. Supreme Court Justice granted the injunction.
According to Hittrich, the parents allege they only signed away custody of their daughter under pressure.
"They were told in no uncertain terms that if they didn’t agree (to give up custody) all future children would be apprehended immediately,” Hittrich said.
The Ministry of Children and Family Development wouldn't comment specifically on the case but did release a statement saying it wouldn't challenge the wishes of the child's biological parents.
"A situation like this is obviously a difficult one for everyone involved -- particularly the family," said a spokesperson in an emailed statement. "The wishes of biological parents would not be contested."
Despite the health issues Mary Jane faces, both Pierce and Arnold are hoping she'll recover using cannabis oil.
"As soon as you give it to her she pretty much opens her eyes almost every time," said Pierce. "She’ll grab your finger. You tickle her foot, she’ll kick you."
With a report from CTV Vancouver
