Alfie's parents lost their final bid Wednesday afternoon to move their 23-month-old son with an unknown degenerative brain condition to a hospital in Italy. An appeals court sided with the Alder Hey Hospital claiming it would be "unkind" and "futile" to continue treatment. The hospital removed life support Monday but Alfie defied doctors' expectations by surviving now 48 hours without a ventilator.
As an international outcry over the situation is growing, including appeals from Pope Francis and the president of Poland, the local Meyerside Police department released a chilling statement to those posting about the situation on social media.
"I would like to make people aware that these posts are being monitored and remind social media users that any offences including malicious communications and threatening behaviour will be investigated and where necessary will be acted upon," Chief Inspector Chris Gibson wrote.
The appeals court decision today exhausted Alfie's parents' last legal avenue. There is still a possibility that they will be allowed to take their son home for his final moments.
Comment: More on the case in the following articles: