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2 clusters · 4 sources · 7 days · First seen · Last updated

Categories: HEALTH

US surrogacy custody battle over heart defect

Entities: McKenna West · California Court · Live Action · Worldwide Surrogacy Specialists · Worldwide Surrogacy

Overview

In late July 2026, surrogate mother McKenna West, an Alaskan nurse, filed for custody in a California court after a 20‑week ultrasound revealed the fetus she was carrying had hypoplastic left‑heart syndrome. The intended parents, who had contracted her through Worldwide Surrogacy, demanded an abortion under the terms of their agreement, but West refused, seeking a court order that would either grant her custody or compel the couple to allow life‑saving surgery after birth.

A week later, the dispute was reported as being before an Alaska court, emphasizing the same legal clash: the parents’ request to terminate the pregnancy versus West’s insistence that the baby can survive with surgery. Both reports highlight the broader complexities of surrogacy contracts, abortion rights, and medical obligations in the United States.

Timeline

  1. about 6 hours ago

    [HEALTH] 2 sources
    Alaska surrogate mother battles court to keep baby with heart defect alive

    Alaska surrogate McKenna West sues a couple to stop an abortion after a fetal heart defect is diagnosed, arguing the baby can survive with surgery and must be allowed to live.

  2. 6 days ago

    [HEALTH] 2 sources
    Surrogate McKenna West battles California court over baby with heart defect

    Surrogate McKenna West, after refusing a couple's demand to abort a baby diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, has filed for custody in a California court to ensure life‑saving surgery.

Sources

freerepublic.com · kreiszeitung.de · leinetal24.de · liveaction.org