Family of boy declared brain-dead receives extension to file an appeal to keep him on life support

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KTVU) - A federal judge in Sacramento has granted a one week extension to the family of a young boy fighting to keep him on life support, even though he's been declared brain-dead.

The legal and health dispute is drawing comparisons to the case of Jahi McMath.

The judge denied the request from the family of 2-year-old Israel Stinson, to keep him on a ventilator indefinitely, while they look to transfer him to a long-term care facility.

The one week extension does give them time to file an appeal to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco.

Doctors declared Israel Stinson legally brain-dead, following what appeared to be an asthma attack that led to cardiac arrest on April 1.

He has gone to three different hospitals, since the original asthma attack.

Doctors at UC Davis termed him as brain-dead, but his parents eventually transferred him to Kaiser

Permanente Hospital in Roseville.

Israel's family said they needed more time to find a long-term care facility, but Kaiser says there is no chance for a recovery, and that any more care would only deprive him of the dignity of death.

Court documents also stated, "Plaintiffs are Christians with firm religious beliefs that as long as the heart is beating, Israel is alive." 

Teenager Jahi McMath was declared brain dead, following complications from surgery at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital in Oakland in 2013.

But her family won the right to keep her on life support.

They eventually moved her from Children's Hospital to a New Jersey facility.