Etta James taken off of respirator

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 2 (UPI) -- Etta James' son said Monday the terminally ill U.S. singer, 73, has been taken off of a respirator and is breathing on her own.

Her son, Donto, told CNN she remains in the South California hospital where she has been since Dec. 21.

Etta James is in the final stages of terminal leukemia and suffering from dementia, her son said.

Donto told CNN his mother is conscious and watched the ball drop on television New Year's Eve with her sons.