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US surrogacy and reproductive rights legal dispute

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2026-09-23 02:02 UTC → 2026-09-23 02:03 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The legal dispute regarding surrogacy contracts and reproductive rights has escalated into a multi-state battle involving the U.S. Supreme Court. The conflict centers on Alaskan surrogate McKenna West and California-based biological parents Nausheen Gilkar and Omar Ahmed following the birth of an infant in Texas diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). The dispute originated when the biological parents requested West terminate the pregnancy, a demand they claim is permitted under their $60,000 agreement. West refused, citing the child’s right to live. While a Los Angeles court has recognized Gilkar and Ahmed as the legal parents, a Texas judge recently denied West’s bid for custody. West filed an emergency application with the U.S. Supreme Court to prevent the infant from being moved out of Texas, arguing an administrative stay was necessary to prevent the baby from being moved to California for hospice care. In response, Gilkar and Ahmed accused West of “fabricating” an emergency and conducting a “publicity tour.” Ultimately, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to intervene. Justice Elena Kagan rejected West’s emergency appeal, which sought to halt a California court order recognizing Ahmed and Gilkar as the legal parents. Following the birth in Texas, where the child underwent a Norwood procedure after intervention by the Texas Attorney General, a California state court confirmed the parentage of the biological parents. The Supreme Court’s refusal to step in leaves the lower court’s ruling regarding parental rights intact. The infant, referred to as Gabriel by West and Rumi by the parents, remains at the center of the disagreement over medical care and custody.

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