In re Storar

1981

Venue: NY Supreme Court

Facts: Storar is a profoundly retarded man with terminal bladder cancer. His mother wants to stop giving him transfusions, because they make him uncomfortable, even though they are prolonging his life.

Posture: Initial trial.

Issue: Can a parent deprive a child of life-saving treatment?

Holding: No. The application to continue the transfusions should have been granted.

Rule: A parent may not deprive a child of life-saving treatment, no matter how well-intentioned.

Reasoning:

Dicta: