Alfie James Evans (9 May 2016 – 28 April 2018), was an infant boy from Liverpool with an undiagnosed neurodegenerative disorder,[1] later revealed to be GABA-transaminase deficiency.

Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust sought a declaration that continued mechanical ventilation was "unkind and inhumane", and not in the child's best interests.

In November 2016, at six months of age, Alfie Evans was reviewed at the general pediatric outpatient clinic at Alder Hey Children's Hospital.

On 14 December 2016, Alfie was admitted to Alder Hey Accident and Emergency Department with a history of coughing, high temperature, and a reported episode of rhythmic jerking of his jaw and all four limbs.

[6] In September 2017, Italian doctors from Bambino Gesù Hospital produced an assessment report on the possibility of transferring Alfie to Italy.

According to their report on the case, they could offer prolonged ventilator support, with a surgical tracheostomy and would remove a nasogastric tube, replacing it with a gastrostomy.

[10] On 16 April, Merseyside Police launched an investigation into "instances of verbal abuse and acts of intimidation" with judges raising concerns about threatening conduct by protesters towards hospital staff.

[11] Merseyside Police Chief Inspector Chris Gibson released a statement regarding social media posts regarding the Alder Hey Hospital and Alfie Evans's situation: "malicious communications and threatening behaviour will be investigated and, where necessary, will be acted upon.

[13] The case was commented on by the Pope via Twitter, who stated his "sincere hope that everything necessary may be done in order to continue compassionately accompanying little Alfie Evans, and that the deep suffering of his parents may be heard.

The Cardinal's position received strong criticism, and Conservative MP Nadine Dorries stated that "bishops should hang their heads in shame”.

[18] In October 2018, following an ad limina visit to the Vatican City, Archbishop Malcolm McMahon of Liverpool told The Tablet that Catholic Bishops of England and Wales had clarified their position to the Holy See.

The court observed that the medical consensus, including of doctors asked to testify by the parents, was that Alfie had a fatal and untreatable condition, but they differed over the best course of action concerning his end-of-life care.

[24] They stated that the High Court judge was "meticulous and thorough", and that medical evidence showed Alfie was "deeply comatose" and "to all intents and purposes unaware of his surroundings".

[26] In a High Court judgement of 11 April 2018, the judge remarked that "by the end of February the connective pathways within the white matter of the brain which facilitate rudimentary sensation — hearing, touch, taste and sight, had been obliterated.

[27] The High Court backed an end-of-life care plan drawn up by medical specialists attached to Alfie Evans's case.

[39] Alfie's father sought to issue a private prosecution alleging "conspiracy to murder" against several staff members at Alder Hey.

[43][44] Later that day his father, Tom Evans, released a statement on Facebook announcing his death: "My gladiator lay down his shield and gained his wings... absolutely heartbroken.