Community Corner

Teen Declared Brain Dead May Come To Medford Facility

New Beginnings Center has reportedly offered to provide Jahi McMath 24-hour medical care.

A 13-year-old California girl declared brain dead may be coming to Medford’s New Beginnings Center for treatment.

According to court documents cited by the Associated Press on Newsday, the center located at 12 Platinum Court in Medford has offered to take Jahi McMath, who was declared brain dead and is on life support following a tonsil surgery. The center would provide McMath 24-hour medical care. Patch has left a voicemail with New Beginnings Center Tuesday evening.

According to the facility’s website, the New Beginnings Community Center works to provide treatment for those with traumatic brain injury and other disabilities.

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The documents also reportedly say that arrangements have been made to fly McMath via an air ambulance company from Oakland to Long Island for $27,950. A GoFundMe campaign for McMath has currently raised over $37,000 as of Tuesday evening.

According to a different Associated Press report on Huffington Post, Alameda County Superior Court Judge Evelio Grillo ordered Children’s Hospital Oakland to keep McMath on a ventilator past a previously set 5 p.m. Monday deadline. The ruling currently keeps McMath on life support through Jan. 7.

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While doctors have reportedly said that McMath will never recover, her mother would like to keep fighting.

Cynthia Chiarappa, a spokeswoman for the hospital, said in the report that officials would have to understand the capabilities of the New York facility before allowing a transfer, confirm that there is a lawful transportation included in the plan and written permission from the coroner.

McMath underwent a tonsillectomy on Dec. 9 to treat sleep apnea and other issues. After waking up from the procedure, her family reportedly said that she started to bleed heavily, went into cardiac arrest and was declared brain dead three days later.

Click here for the AP report on Newsday (Subscription), and click here for the AP report on Huffington Post.


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