Baby Mary Jane Pierce is shown in this undated family handout photo.
Image Credit: THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - American Academy of Dermatology
February 23, 2016 - 8:30 AM
VANCOUVER - A severely ill baby whose parents were fighting to have treated with cannabis oil has died.
The British Columbia Coroners' Service said Mary Jane Pierce died of natural causes last Friday in B.C. Children's Hospital.
Pierce made headlines last summer when her parents filed a court action to gain greater control of her care from the B.C. government.
The baby was born prematurely last April and suffered from serious health problems including cerebral palsy and seizures, which her parents believed were helped by cannabis oil.
The Children's Ministry obtained custody of the little girl last August and allegedly moved to remove her ventilator, although it later said it would not take her off life support without her parents' consent.
Justin Pierce and Michelle Arnold dropped their court action in September because their daughter appeared to be recovering, although they still hoped to treat her with the oil.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2016