An Essex County judge has approved a $15 million settlement in Little v. University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, a medical malpractice suit on behalf of a child who was left brain-damaged from a stroke after her cardiologist allegedly failed to arrange surgery to repair her heart abnormality.

Superior Court Judge Dennis Carey III approved an agreement on Dec. 18 with University Hospital, UMDNJ and pediatric cardiologist Jose Antillon.

The settlement will fund annuities for 11-year-old Ta'Kahya Little of Irvington and her mother, Kiara Little, and a special-needs trust for Ta'Kahya.