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[POLITICS] · United States · 7 sources

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Part of situation: US surrogacy and reproductive rights legal dispute (12 clusters)

McKenna West appeals to Supreme Court in surrogacy custody battle

surrogacy dispute U.S. Supreme Court custody battle abortion rights hypoplastic left heart syndrome

McKenna West, an Alaska-based surrogate, has filed an emergency application with the U.S. Supreme Court to contest a California court ruling regarding the custody of a newborn.

The dispute involves a child born on August 12 in Texas with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), a rare and life-threatening heart condition. West alleges that the intended parents, Nausheen Gilkar and Omar Ahmed of California, requested she terminate the pregnancy following a fetal diagnosis. West refused the request and subsequently fled to Texas to give birth.

A Los Angeles court has already recognized Gilkar and Ahmed as the legal parents, a decision West is seeking to block. She is requesting final custody or conservatorship, expressing concern that the couple may not provide necessary life-saving medical care. The intended parents have previously sought restraining orders to prevent West from contacting the child, alleging she violated their surrogacy agreement.

The case has drawn attention to the lack of federal regulation for surrogacy, as laws vary significantly by state.

Entities

McKenna West · Nausheen Gilkar · Omar Ahmed · U.S. Supreme Court

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

  • [● 2 SOURCES] Nausheen Gilkar characterized West as unstable during a court hearing in Dallas on August 25. abc13.com · abc7.com
  • [● 3 SOURCES] McKenna West filed an emergency application with the U.S. Supreme Court to block a California court ruling. offthepress.com · abc13.com · abc7.com
  • [● 3 SOURCES] The infant was born on August 12 with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). offthepress.com · abc13.com · abc7.com
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] West alleges she was warned of potential financial penalties exceeding $250,000 for continuing the pregnancy. offthepress.com
  • [● 3 SOURCES] West alleges the intended parents, Nausheen Gilkar and Omar Ahmed, requested she terminate the pregnancy following a fetal diagnosis. offthepress.com · abc13.com · abc7.com
  • [● 3 SOURCES] A Los Angeles court ruling declared Nausheen Gilkar and Omar Ahmed as the legal parents of the child. offthepress.com · abc13.com · abc7.com

Sources

Surrogate who refused abortion takes fight to Supreme Court as baby's life hangs in balance [offthepress.com]
Surrogate asks the Supreme Court to intervene over care for a sick baby [6abc.com]
Surrogate asks the Supreme Court to intervene over care for a sick baby [abc13.com]
Surrogate asks the Supreme Court to intervene over care for a sick baby [abc7.com]
Surrogate asks the Supreme Court to intervene over care for a sick baby [abc7chicago.com]
Surrogate asks the Supreme Court to intervene over care for a sick baby [abc7news.com]
Surrogate asks the Supreme Court to intervene over care for a sick baby [abc7ny.com]