Full Breakdown
Texas Toddler’s Death After Prolonged Legal Fight Over Brain-Death Testing
8/9/2026, 5:03:21 AM
Case Overview
On May 25, 2-year-old Annelise Camp was found unconscious in a hotel pool while visiting relatives in Texas. After CPR restored her heartbeat, she was taken to Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston and placed on a ventilator. Her heart continued beating, but she remained dependent on life-support equipment.
Legal Battle and Hospital Actions
Within days, the Camps filed a lawsuit seeking to block brain-death testing, arguing that the procedure conflicted with their religious beliefs and would limit time for possible recovery. Texas law defines brain death as the irreversible cessation of brain function, and hospitals may withdraw life-sustaining measures once that determination is made.
A judge granted a temporary injunction, preventing the testing. The hospital’s attempts to locate a transfer facility were largely rebuffed—35 of 36 contacted hospitals declined, and the one pending facility required brain-death testing before accepting the patient. The Camps eventually transferred Annelise to Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans, later returning her to Texas for care at Christus Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler.
Family Statements & Public Reaction
The family maintained that Annelise showed “encouraging signs” and pursued “specialized and exploratory treatments.” Their GoFundMe updates emphasized ongoing hope, while a later post announced her death, writing, “Annelise is now with Jesus.” Texas Right to Life praised the injunction as giving the family “two extra months” to seek recovery. Rep.
Official Statements & Responses
Texas Children’s Hospital reiterated its clinical rationale for testing and its lack of intent to discontinue care. Texas Right to Life highlighted the legal victory as a win for parental rights. Attorney General Paxton and Rep. Toth publicly backed the family’s position, urging broader review of how brain-death determinations intersect with life-sustaining treatment.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The big common denominator is time,” — Johnston Camp, father.
- “This past Monday Annelise was extubated, taking out the tubes, they kept her breathing these last ten weeks since her accidental drowning on Memorial Day,” — Steve Camp, grandfather.
