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McKenna West sued by biological parents after refusing to abort baby
A legal battle has erupted between biological parents Nausheen Gilkar and Omar Ahmed and their surrogate, McKenna West, following the birth of a baby boy in Texas. The dispute began after a 20-week ultrasound revealed the fetus had hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), a serious congenital heart defect.
According to court filings, the California-based couple requested that West terminate the pregnancy, citing an abortion clause in their $60,000 surrogacy agreement. West, an Alaska-based nurse, refused the request and traveled to Texas to give birth on August 12. The baby, named Rumi by the parents and Gabriel by West, has since undergone life-saving heart surgery.
Gilkar and Ahmed have filed a countersuit against West, seeking more than $100,000 in damages for alleged breach of contract and “malicious, outrageous conduct” that caused them emotional distress. West is pursuing legal action to establish herself as the child's parent, citing Texas laws regarding birth mothers. The case has drawn significant attention to the regulation of the surrogacy industry and the legal implications of termination clauses in reproductive contracts.
Entities
Ken Paxton · McKenna West · Nasheen Gilkar · Nausheen Gilkar · Omar Ahmed · Texas · Texas Attorney General's Office
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 13 SOURCES] The biological parents are suing surrogate McKenna West for more than $100,000 in damages. www.brasilemfolhas.com.br · elveedordigital.com · americanwirenews.com · care.org.uk · recentlyheard.com · +8 more
- [● 10 SOURCES] The lawsuit alleges West engaged in malicious and outrageous conduct. elveedordigital.com · americanwirenews.com · recentlyheard.com · spuc.org.uk · wltreport.com · +5 more
- [● 14 SOURCES] The surrogacy contract included a clause allowing the parents to request an abortion if fetal abnormalities were detected. elveedordigital.com · americanwirenews.com · care.org.uk · spuc.org.uk · www.infocatolica.com · +9 more
- [● 11 SOURCES] The original agreement involved a $60,000 payment to West to carry the child. elveedordigital.com · americanwirenews.com · care.org.uk · spuc.org.uk · www.infocatolica.com · +6 more
- [DISPUTED] McKenna West is pursuing legal action to establish herself as the child's parent. www.brasilemfolhas.com.br · elveedordigital.com · americanwirenews.com · theblast.com · thenationalpulse.com · +1 more
- [● 14 SOURCES] McKenna West traveled from Alaska to Texas to give birth. www.brasilemfolhas.com.br · elveedordigital.com · americanwirenews.com · care.org.uk · recentlyheard.com · +9 more
- [● 15 SOURCES] The baby was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) at approximately 20 weeks gestation. www.brasilemfolhas.com.br · elveedordigital.com · care.org.uk · spuc.org.uk · thetab.com · +10 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] A Texas court order ensured the newborn would receive life-saving medical care. care.org.uk · spuc.org.uk · thenationalpulse.com · www.brasilemfolhas.com.br · wltreport.com