Family of Calif. girl on ventilator maintains hope

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) A Northern California family who lost their bid to keep their 13-year-old daughter on life support says "there is still time for a miracle."

Alameda County Superior Court Judge Evelio Grillo has ruled that Jahi McMath, who was declared brain dead after suffering complications following a tonsillectomy, can be removed from the ventilator keeping her body functioning.

But the judge gave Jahi's family until 5 p.m. Dec. 30 to file an appeal. Until then, she will stay on life support at Children's Hospital Oakland.

Relatives said the family has not decided if they would keep fighting.

"There is still time for a miracle," said Omari Sealey, the girl's uncle, said Tuesday. He said the family would decide later whether to appeal or to allow the hospital to remove the girl from a ventilator.

"Prayers are more important than ever before," Sealey said. "Because the clock is ticking."

Jahi's mother, Nailah Winkfield, didn't attend the court hearing Tuesday, staying by her daughter's side in the hospital.

Sealey said Winkfield and other family members have remained with the teen since complications arose Dec. 9 after a tonsillectomy.

"Room 325 of Children's Hospital is our new home," Sealey said.

Sealey held hands with Jahi's grandmother Sandra Chatman, Jahi's stepfather Martin Winkfield and the family's lawyer Christopher Dolan as the judge ruled.

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Family of Calif. girl on ventilator maintains hope