A second New Jersey family fights CHOP to keep their son on life support

PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) - A second family is fighting to keep their son on life support at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Doctors say the 10-year-old is brain dead. The family of Jayden has filed an emergency injunction to stop doctors from pulling the plug.

The circumstances eerily similar to that of another New Jersey boy whose family is also fighting CHOP.

Both parents say they know what is best for their child and they refuse to give up hope.

Jayden is a music lover, songwriter and even bilingual and all despite fighting a motor neuron disease that confined him to a wheelchair.

Jayden was recorded in video by his mother Anna two weeks ago.

"He was a very happy little boy," said Anna.

Hours after the video was recorded Jayden was at CHOP, declared brain dead after suffering cardiac arrest.

Anna said doctors counseled her and her husband to take Jayden off life support. But, his mother said as long as she can feel his heart beat, he is alive.

"So, I make a promise to my son and talk to my son, 'Mommy will always fight for you.' So, I have to keep my promise to my to child because I know he's fighting, too. He can't open his eyes and talk to me, but I know he's fighting," Anna said.

Anna and her husband now battle CHOP, filing an emergency injunction to stop doctors from pulling the plug. Anna is a Buddhist. Her husband and son are Catholic. They said their religious beliefs won't allow them to give up.

"It's considered murder of an innocent child," Anna stated.

The case bearing striking similarities to the ongoing court battle between CHOP and Bordentown mother Rumpa Banerjee, whose son Areen is also on life support there.

"Now parents feel like they have a voice," Anna said.

The two families share the same attorney, Chris Bagnato, who said parents, not hospitals, should get to decide their children's fate. Both boys are from New Jersey, where state law distinguishes between brain dead and clinically dead and provides a religious exemption for families who want to keep their loved ones on life support.

"CHOP is a renowned institution, best in the country. But, sometimes people don't second guess the best," said attorney Chris Bagnato.

"I'm asking anyone who can help me and my child. Give Jayden a chance. That's what I do. Give Jayden a chance," Anna said.

CHOP said they are unable to share information on either case. Both families are looking for facilities in New Jersey to take in their children. Both decisions now lie with judges in Orphans Court.

Anyone who wishes to help Jayden financially can contribute at the Go Fund Me page set up for his expenses.

Anyone who wishes to help Areen financially can contribute at the Go Fund Me page set up for his expenses.