A US teenager with less than six months to live has been denied a life-saving heart transplant because of low grades and previous trouble with police, his family have said.
Fifteen-year-old Anthony Stokes has been told by doctors he does not qualify for a new organ due to a "history of non-compliance",broadcaster WSBTV reported.
His mother, Melencia Hamilton, says the procedure is the only thing that will cure his enlarged heart condition.
Anthony Stokes filmed in hospital
She said: "They said they don’t have any evidence that he would take his medicine or that he would go to his follow-ups"
The hospital treating Anthony, the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta in Egleston, said in a statement to ABCNews.com: "The well-being of our patients is always our first priority.
"We are continuing to work with this family and looking at all options regarding this patient's health care. We follow very specific criteria in determining eligibility for a transplant of any kind."
Anthony's case has been taken up by civil rights groups who say the decision amounts to a death sentence.
Christine Young Brown of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference said: "He’s been given a death sentence because of a broad and vague excuse of non-compliance.
"There was nothing specific in that decision. Just non-compliance."