by
Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
March 18, 2005
Pinellas
Park, FL (LifeNews.com) -- Terri Schiavo's feeding tube was removed
on Friday afternoon, according to an attorney for her estranged husband
Michael who spoke with NBC News. The removal came shortly after the
Woodside Hospice released a statement responding to the
subpoenas issued by Congress in the morning.
The statement said doctors there cannot remove Terri's feeding tube and that Terri's personal doctor must do it.
Terri's
parents had been asked to leave Terri's room following the issuance
of the statement.
They issued a statement on their web site confirming the feeding tube
had been removed. "It is unclear if the port that accommodates
her feeding tube has been surgically removed as her family was ordered
to leave her room," the web site said.
The
gastric tube will remain removed unless a federal judge grants a habeus
corpus review and overturned a reissued order by Judge George Greer
allowing the removal or unless Congress finalizess legislation allowing
Terri's parents to take their legal battle to federal courts.
Terri will die a painful starvation and dehydration death in 7 to 10
days unless the feeding tube is reinserted.
This is the third time her feeding tube has been removed. It was removed
and reinserted in late 2003 when the Florida legislature authorized
Governor Jeb Bush to ask doctors to spare Terri's life.
Despite removing the tube, Howard Simon of the ACLU, who is working
with Michael's attorneys, said the battle is not over.
''It's premature to say this thing is over or it's coming to an end," he told the Miami Herald newspaper.
Meanwhile,
an attorney for the House of Representatives said a motion has been
filed to appeal Judge Greer's ruling with a Florida appeals court and
the Florida Supreme Court.
Related Friday afternoon stories:
Judge Temporarily Blocks
Removal of Terri Schiavo's Feeding Tube
Florida Senate Decides
Not to Approve House-Passed Bill on Terri Schiavo
House and Senate Issue
Subpoenas to Protect Terri Schiavo
Terri's parents - http://www.terrisfight.org
