A Texas family has transferred their 2-year-old daughter, Annelise Camp, to a new hospital after refusing doctors' recommendations to declare her brain dead following a May 25 drowning incident. Her family reports that she is showing "encouraging signs" at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans, where she has been receiving care for several weeks.
Annelise was celebrating Memorial Day in Houston when she reportedly wandered into a pool after removing her life jacket. Her older cousin pulled her from the water and began CPR before first responders arrived and transported her to Texas Children's Hospital. While at Texas Children's Hospital, her parents obtained a temporary restraining order to prevent doctors from performing a brain death test, as they believed such a declaration would limit her medical care.
In a July 13 update shared on a GoFundMe page, the family stated that Annelise has exhibited strong organ function, regular bowel movements, and stable vital signs during treatment, including red light therapy. While her neurological development has not yet shown change, her parents remain optimistic about potential progress and are exploring specialized and experimental treatments.
Images shared by the family show Annelise connected to medical equipment, with her parents and older siblings by her side. One photo depicts her siblings lying with her in the hospital bed, while another shows her holding a doll with her mother and brother holding her hands.
Johnston Camp, Annelise's father, had previously stated that while the staff at Texas Children's Hospital were "wonderful," the legal constraints limited options. He expressed his belief that his daughter was improving and should continue to receive treatment. The hospital had agreed to assist with her transfer to a facility offering more treatment possibilities.
A spokesperson for Texas Children's Hospital acknowledged the case, stating, "Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with the family and their loved ones. Our expert and dedicated clinical team is exhausting all medically viable options and we continue to work hard to honor the family's wishes during this difficult time." The hospital declined further comment out of respect for the family's privacy.
Two online fundraisers have been established to help cover Annelise's medical expenses. The GoFundMe page has raised over $110,000, and a GiveSendGo fundraiser has garnered nearly $15,000.