Guardianship of Doe

We are asked to decide whether a judge correctly determined that a profoundly retarded woman in a persistent vegetative state would choose, were she competent, to terminate her nasoduodenal feeding and hydration. After hearing, the judge made careful, detailed written findings and concluded that the woman, Jane Doe (a pseudonym), would choose to do so. Doe’s parents agree with the judge’s determination. Doe’s permanent guardian (guardian), the guardian ad litem (GAL), and Doe’s physicians agree with the judge’s determination.1 The Department of Mental Retardation (department), the agency…