Fresno, CA (LifeNews.com) -- A California court is scheduled to hold a hearing today in a case of a disabled woman like Terri Schiavo who has been deprived of food and water for nine days. Janet Rivera lost her right to food and water on July 14 when a court-appointed guardian removed her feeding tube despite her family's wishes.

Rivera, 46, had a heart attack on February 2006 and she never regained consciousness. She has been on life support for two years

Jesus Rivera, her husband, had been his wife's conservator until June 17, when he was replaced for unknown reasons by David Hadden, the Fresno County coroner.

Jesus, according to a Fresno Bee report, wants to allow his wife to continue to receive food and water and has wants "her body to give out when it gives out between her and almighty God and no one else."

"You can't starve someone to death," he said.

Doctors disagreed and, after consulting them, Hadden decided to remove Janet Rivera's feeding tube.

According to the newspaper, Hadden's office released a statement saying he made the decision after "immense consideration" and due to Rivera's "untreatable and irreversible condition and to prevent any and all suffering that she may be enduring."

"If this were a family member of mine, I would want the decision made by the group of physicians who are taking care of this patient," he added.

In a hearing today at Fresno County Probate Court, the family will request a restraining order to allow Janet food and water until a full hearing can take place.

Rivera's family has contacted two pro-life law firms, the Alliance Defense Fund and the Life Legal Defense Fund to help them with the case and Brian Chavez-Ochoa, a Valley Springs attorney, is helping the family at no cost.

Chavez-Ochoa was an advisor in the Terri Schiavo case.

Rivera is currently admitted at the DeWitt Community Subacute Center in Fresno.

 

 

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