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'Our Boy Has Gone': Charlie Gard Dead After Parents' Long Battle for Right to Treatment

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The parents of Charlie Gard, the terminally ill British baby at the center of a legal battle that garnered international attention, announced late Friday that their son has died.

"Our beautiful little boy has gone. We are so proud of you, Charlie," The Daily Mail quoted Charlie's, parents Chris Gard and Connie Yates.

The tragic news comes after a London judge denied the grieving couple their "final wish" to take Charlie home to die. Judge Nicholas Francis ruled that authorities at London's Great Ormond Street Hospital must move critically ill infant Charlie Gard to a hospice, just days before his first birthday, Aug. 4.

Francis issued the directive after Charlie's parents and the hospital failed to meet a noon deadline to agree on an end-of-life care plan.

Charlie's mother, Connie Yates, left the courtroom in distress before the judge gave the earlier ruling.

"What if it was your child?" Yates cried. As she left, she said: "I hope you are happy with yourselves."

CNN reports that an attorney for Charlie's parents said they objected to the "brutality" of moving Charlie to hospice, only to have him die shortly after.

Charlie's parents claim the hospital put up "obstacle after obstacle" to their plan to allow Charlie to die at home.

It was a sentiment echoed by pro-life advocates.

"Our hearts go out to the Gard family, who not only have suffered the loss of their precious baby boy, but have had to endure the interference and obstruction of the courts and British health system in their fight for their child's life,” Maureen Ferguson, senior policy advisor with The Catholic Association, said in a statement.

“Whether one agrees with the Gard's decision to pursue experimental treatment or not, this excruciating decision should have belonged to his loving and devoted parents," she continued.

"There was no apparent compelling justification for the courts to override and replace the unique parental bond of love in this case, which has only added to the heartbreak of Charlie's passing," she charged. "The international response to the plight of this baby is a beautiful testament to the irreplaceable value of one human life."

Congressman Trent Franks of Arizona released a statement as well. Rep. Franks was one of the Congressman who attempted to give Charlie the status of permanent resident via a bill.

"In the brief time their little baby spent in the shadows of this life on earth, Charlie Gard brought the focus of the collective human conscience to bear on the gravity, brevity and preciousness of each life," he said. "His story awakened the world. This little boy’s passing will not be in vain. Because he lived and fought his battles, someday another little boy or girl will defeat this terrible disease and grow up to walk in the sunlight of life; and change the world for all of us.”

Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life, said, "Our hearts break for Charlie Gard's parents, and we join with them in their grief over Charlie's death. No parent should ever have to bury a child; and certainly no parent should ever be told by a court or government that their child must die. The case of Charlie Gard brings into grave perspective what can happen when the government controls a health care system: it alone can decide who lives and who dies. Rest in peace, Charlie."

Others simply offered their condolences for a life that ended far too soon.

"Our hearts are heavy today as we learn of Charlie Gard's passing. We are so thankful for his life, which though too brief, has made a lasting impact on the world and drawn together people from all walks of life and political persuasions, uniting them around the dignity and value of every human being,"  said Catherine Glenn Foster, president and CEO of Americans United for Life.

March for Life President Jeanne Mancini said, "We are deeply saddened by the news of Charlie Gard's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with Charlie's family, whose admirable fight for their child's right to life has had a profound and lasting impact on the entire world. Though his life here on earth was cut short, Charlie's spirit will continue to inspire an international fight to ensure that the sanctity of every human life is respected."

The 11-month-old was born with mitochondrial depletion syndrome, a rare genetic disease which caused brain damage and left the child unable to breathe on his own.

President Donald Trump and Pope Francis helped to bring international attention to Charlie's story and his parents' battle to save his life.

Gard and Yates fought for months to persuade Great Ormond Street Hospital to let Charlie come to the United States for experimental treatment.

They gave up that fight Monday, saying the window of opportunity to save him had closed, because too much time had been lost due to the legal battle.

"Mummy and Daddy love you so much Charlie, we always have and we always will and we are so sorry that we couldn't save you," his parents wrote upon announcing their decision. "We had the chance but we weren't allowed to give you that chance.

"Sweet dreams baby. Sleep tight, our beautiful little boy."

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