An Oakland family is demanding answers from a hospital staff after a routine tonsil surgery left their 13-year-old girl brain dead.
According to San Jose Mercury News, Jahi McMath was declared brain dead after “post-surgery” complications on Thursday. The staff at Oakland Children's Hospital reportedly refused the family’s request to meet with hospital administration.
The 13-year-old went in for the surgery on Dec. 9. KPIX 5 reports Jahi was supposed to go home the following day, and appeared healthy and alert after surgery. However, her grandmother said she soon began bleeding out of her nose and mouth, and then went into cardiac arrest.
Nailah Winkfield, Jahi’s mother, was told her daughter would not recover. Jahi is currently hooked up to a ventilator, according to KPIX 5.
"As compassionate as [Jahi] is and as caring as she is, you would think the hospital could show her some compassion," Nailah told San Jose Mercury News.
Oakland Children's Hospital released the following statement to KPIX 5: “We are very sad about her condition and our hearts go out to her and her family. We are currently reviewing the case.”
"Well, what is it then?" Martin Winkfield, Jahi’s stepfather asked San Jose Mercury News. "Is she legally or medically dead or is she still a patient ... it's total confusion."
Winkfield told KPIX 5 his family wants answers, and want to know the exact condition of his stepdaughter.
“At this point I’m just all cried out. I have no tears left, so the only thing I can do is stay here,” said Winkfield. “I am not leaving unless she leaves with me because I will not let them pull the plug on my child.”
According to the San Jose Mercury News, Jahi’s family will not take her off the ventilator “so long as she has a pulse.”
