KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- An ethics panel met for more than three hours this afternoon inside East Tennessee Children's Hospital to determine whether or not to continue care of nine month old Gabriel Palmer, born with a rare chromosomal disorder.

"Well the child's in a very bad condition and it's one where the prognosis is not good."

Attorney John Threadgill represents the Palmer family as part of the Alliance Defense Fund, which filed suit against the hospital. There was also an emergency motion in court today to, according to the ADF, save the life of Gabriel. That was postponed.

"Right now our concern is the care of the child and we have reached an agreement where the child's going to remain a patient at East Tennessee Children's Hospital and continue to get care. Had you not reached an agreement today, what would have happened, what potentially could have happened? Well I really don't want to speculate about what could have happened. We're pleased that the hospital is going to provide care for the child," Threadgill told WVLT.

As part of a written statement, Hospital President Keith Goodwin said, quote...

"In critical care situations like Gabriel's, it is not uncommon to reach a place in the child's treatment where discussions are held to see how best to proceed. When this situation occurs, input both from the family and from the child's medical team is solicited. That is what was being addressed today, because the best interests of the child and family are always at the forefront of everything we do."

Threadgill said "The family was present. The family is obviously very concerned, very loving family, expressed their desires and I believe everyone is pleased with the outcome."
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Statement regarding Gabriel Palmer from Keith Goodwin, President/CEO of East Tennessee Children’s Hospital

Monday, November 23, 2009 – 4:45 p.m.

There has been much interest regarding Gabriel Palmer, who is a patient at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital currently in critical condition. There also have been inaccurate allegations regarding Gabriel’s care while at Children’s Hospital. There has been particular interest in a meeting that took place earlier today involving the child’s family and members of his medical care team at Children’s Hospital.

In critical care situations like Gabriel’s, it is not uncommon to reach a place in the child’s treatment where discussions are held to see how best to proceed. When this situation occurs, input both from the family and from the child’s medical team is solicited. That is what was being addressed today, because the best interests of the child and family are always at the forefront of everything we do. Specifics of the discussion are a private matter, and the hospital is not at liberty to discuss the proceedings.

We have and will continue to provide the highest quality of care for Gabriel and every child at Children’s Hospital. No care has been withheld from Gabriel, and our medical team continues to work with the family to look at any possibilities that can be identified for his continued treatment.