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Surrogate in custody battle appeals to Supreme Court over care for sick baby
CNN • • nation
Key Points:
- A California couple’s surrogate, McKenna West, has appealed to the US Supreme Court over custody of a 4-week-old baby born with a serious heart defect, after refusing the couple’s request for an abortion.
- West seeks to overturn a California court order recognizing the couple, Omar Ahmed and Nausheen Gilkar, as the parents, arguing they will not provide life-saving care for the child diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome.
- The baby underwent surgery shortly after birth but remains in critical condition, and West alleges the couple plans to place the child in hospice care rather than pursue further treatment.
- The case highlights legal complexities in surrogacy and abortion laws, with differing state regulations and no federal oversight, and the Supreme Court is not obligated to hear the appeal.
- Legal experts say the chances of the Supreme Court granting emergency relief are low, as it rarely intervenes in family disputes, but West’s lawyers stress the high stakes due to the child’s medical vulnerability.
