Baby Mary Jane Pierce case adjourned until mid-September

Mary Jane Pierce, who was born prematurelyat 25 weeks with serious health problems, remains on life-support while the case that will decide whether her parents or guardian have the right to take her off the support will resume in mid-September.

A procedural court hearing on Friday decided that the caseshould be held by a provincial court judge rather than the Supreme Court of Canada

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Mary Jane, who was born in April, isin the neonatal intensive care unit at B.C. Women's Hospitalin Vancouver. Shehas cerebral palsy and hassuffered multiple hemorrhages that left her brain damaged.

Penny Washington, the lawyer for the hospital, said the intervention to maintainMary Jane's condition is burdensome on her body and that she has multiple seizures every day. The lawyer said the discomfort is inconsistent with human dignity.

JackHittrich, the lawyer speaking for the parents,said Mary Jane won't be going home but should receive a full medical review and live as long as possible.

Custody issue

Mary Jane'sparents,Michelle Arnold and Justin Pierce ofChilliwack, B.C., say they were pressured on Aug. 7into signing temporary custody of their daughterover to the care of an agency under the province's Ministry of Children and Family Development.

By Aug. 10, the doctor caring for Mary Janeplanned to removethe ventilatorand transfer the infant to palliative care, according toanaffidavitfrom the parents' lawyer.

Justin Pierce said neither he nor Arnoldconsented to that plan.

On Aug. 11, shortly before the ventilator was to be removed, a B.C. Supreme Court judge granted a temporary injunction to stop doctors from removing the life-support.