Annelise Camp, a two-and-a-half-year-old girl at the center of a significant legal and medical dispute in Houston, has received an important update regarding her care. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced via Facebook that a hospital in Louisiana is prepared to accept her transfer for ongoing specialized treatment.
Paxton expressed gratitude in his post, stating, “I’m thankful that 2½-year-old Annelise Camp has been accepted for transfer to Ochsner Children’s Hospital, where she can receive continued care and specialized treatment. I want to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at Ochsner Health for stepping in to help this young girl and her family during such a difficult time. Their compassion and expertise are giving Annelise and her loved ones renewed hope.” He concluded his message with a call for prayers for Annelise and her family, wishing them strength and healing.
The situation surrounding Annelise began on Memorial Day when, during a family visit, she accidentally found her way back to a hotel pool after removing her life jacket. Family members rescued her from the water and administered CPR until first responders arrived. Her father, Johnston Camp, shared that it took nearly an hour before her heartbeat was restored, and she has since remained hospitalized at Texas Children’s Hospital.
Concerns arose within the family after a physician suggested declaring Annelise brain dead just two days post-admission. The family believes that giving her more time could lead to significant improvements. Johnston Camp stated, “If there’s that 1% chance or that 5% chance of results, we’re going to take it,” emphasizing their desire to provide Annelise every possible opportunity for recovery.
Previously, the family secured a temporary restraining order in Harris County, and subsequent court documents indicated a mutual agreement with Texas Children’s Hospital to proceed with brain death testing while maintaining supportive care until a hearing on June 11. It was noted that testing was to commence on June 5 or once clinical criteria were met, and Texas Children’s Hospital committed to assisting in the transfer to another facility willing to accept Annelise.
Texas Children’s Hospital stated they have “exhausted all medically viable options” and made requests for her transfer to 24 other hospitals due to her ongoing condition since the drowning incident. While Annelise has been under their care, her parents have actively sought a transfer to another medical facility while pursuing legal avenues to ensure treatment options remain available.
The hospital released a statement expressing their sorrow over the situation, indicating that their dedicated clinical team has worked diligently to honor the family’s wishes while adhering to legal protocols. They acknowledged that they had already postponed brain death testing at the family’s request and had sought transfer options from numerous hospitals. The statement concluded that, out of respect for the family’s privacy, further comments would not be provided.
