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Baby with heart defect carried by surrogate must receive treatment, Texas court rules, after intended parents request abortion
CBS News • • general
Key Points:
- A Texas court ruled that a fetus with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, carried by surrogate McKenna West from Alaska, must receive lifesaving surgery after birth, following intervention by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
- The intended parents, Nausheen Gilkar and Omar Ahmed, requested an abortion after the diagnosis, but West refused and moved to Texas for medical protection and treatment access.
- The court order mandates that lifesaving care be provided at birth, appoints a guardian ad litem for the baby, and holds Gilkar and Ahmed responsible for medical decisions under court supervision.
- Paxton's office emphasized that Texas law protects all babies born in the state regardless of gestational agreements, and warned it would intervene if treatment is refused.
- The surrogacy agency involved expressed support for both parties' rights and called for mediation to prioritize the child's best interests and avoid litigation.
