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McKenna West gives birth in Texas amid surrogacy and abortion dispute
McKenna West, an Alaskan nurse and surrogate, gave birth to a baby boy named Gabriel in Texas on August 12, following a multi-state legal battle. The dispute arose after the child was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), a serious congenital heart condition. The intended parents, Nausheen Gilkar and Omar Ahmed of California, requested that West terminate the pregnancy, citing a clause in their surrogacy agreement regarding fetal anomalies.
West refused the request and relocated to Texas to ensure the baby could receive medical treatment. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton intervened, securing a court order to guarantee the newborn receives life-saving medical care. While the baby is receiving treatment, a court-issued restraining order currently prevents West from having contact with or making medical decisions for the child, granting those rights to the biological parents. The case involves ongoing legal proceedings in California, Alaska, and Texas regarding parental rights and the validity of the surrogacy contract.
Entities
Gabriel · Ken Paxton · Lincoln Wilson · McKenna West · Nausheen Gilkar · Omar Ahmed · Texas · Texas Attorney General's Office · Worldwide Surrogacy Specialists
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 9 SOURCES] McKenna West refused to undergo an abortion after the fetus was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). www.lifesitenews.com · heartlandernews.com · wolbbaltimore.com · 92q.com · www.growingyourbaby.com · +4 more
- [DISPUTED] The baby is currently in the physical custody of the biological parents and is receiving medical care. www.cbsnews.com · www.dailymail.com
- [DISPUTED] A Texas court issued a restraining order preventing West from having contact with or making medical decisions for the baby. heartlandernews.com · justthenews.com · www.cbsnews.com · san.com · tvovermind.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] McKenna West is an Alaskan nurse and single mother of two who became a surrogate through Worldwide Surrogacy Specialists. wolbbaltimore.com · www.deseret.com · 92q.com · woldcnews.com · www.lifesitenews.com
- [● 8 SOURCES] Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is a congenital condition that typically requires multiple surgeries to manage blood flow. wolbbaltimore.com · www.deseret.com · tvovermind.com · www.lifesitenews.com · 92q.com · +3 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] West's attorney, Lincoln Wilson, argued that the surrogacy contract's termination clause was unlawful. ladiscussione.com · justthenews.com · san.com · heartlandernews.com · tvovermind.com
- [● 12 SOURCES] The intended parents, Nausheen Gilkar and Omar Ahmed, requested that West terminate the pregnancy following the HLHS diagnosis. www.lifesitenews.com · heartlandernews.com · wolbbaltimore.com · 92q.com · www.growingyourbaby.com · +7 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton intervened to secure a court order ensuring the baby would receive life-saving medical care in Texas. www.lifesitenews.com · heartlandernews.com · justthenews.com · kyma.com