Gov. Greg Abbott (R) and Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) asked for an emergency stay to have Tinslee Lewis, 11 months, continue receiving extraordinary care.

The amicus curiae letter to the Second Court of Appeals comes two days after the Fourth Court of Appeals, with Chief Justice Sandee Bryan Marion ruling, ruled Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth is correct to stop providing care. 

Tinslee Lewis, who was born premature, has a rare heart defect, chronic lung disease and  chronic high blood pressure. She is on a ventilator, respiratory and cardiac support and paralyzing sedation. If the sedation is lifted, her heart will fail. Physicians say she is in constant pain, has near-death events three times a day, and her condition will never improve. No other hospital has been willing to treat Tinslee.

According to state law, a physician, once deciding a treatment is medically inappropriate and with the ethics committee’s approval, is not required to continue treatment.

“This case presents a life-or-death decision,” said Paxton. “The right to life and the guarantee of due process are of the utmost importance not only to baby Tinslee and her family, but to all Texans.” The Lewis family is receiving media support from Texas Right to Life, an anti-abortion lobbying group. 

Paxton said his office will use all possible resources in this case.