Family Of Brain-Dead Toddler Draws Hope From Bay Area Woman

VACAVILLE (CBS13) — It's a renewed sense of hope for a Vacaville family whose toddler son was declared brain dead; a woman in the Bay Area was found to be alive a year after she was pronounced dead.

Two San Francisco neurologists determined Anahita Meshkin did not meet the clinical criteria for brain death.

Now the parents of 2-year-old Israel Stinson have hope for their son, who was determined brain dead by two hospitals.

The families are going through heartbreaking situations, and though they don't know each other, the fact that doctors have found this woman to be alive, it's giving Israel's parents some hope.

The Stinsons have until Friday for their appeal to the 9th Circuit Court Of Appeal to go through, or find another hospital that will take their son.

Janay Stinson sees pictures of 29-year-old Anahita Meskin alive and getting care as more motivation. Meshkin was declared brain dead a year ago, but doctors say otherwise.

"It does make me hopeful, but it's still frustrating, that they haven't declared my son alive," she said.

Mohammad Meshkin, Anahita's dad, is seen putting pressure on his daughter's hand. She suffered a massive seizure while battling anorexia. She's still hooked up to machines at her care facility. Her father never gave up.

"I can can only imagine what the father is feeling, his daughter is still fighting for her life," she said.

But time is running out for the Stinsons. They have until Friday to have their appeal heard or find a new hospital.

"Just been calling hospitals every day, praying like crazy that a hospital will accept us," she said.

Israel was being treated for an asthma attack in early April when he went into cardiac arrest. A neurological exam showed he was brain-dead.