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NewsABC Action News (WFTS) — NewsAugust 13, 2026Hillsborough

Texas judge orders life-sustaining medical care for newborn in surrogacy dispute

A Texas judge ordered life-sustaining medical treatment for a newborn born to a surrogate mother after a legal dispute between the surrogate and the California-based intended parents. The child, diagnosed with a congenital heart condition, is currently receiving care at a Texas hospital while the parents and surrogate contest custody and medical decision-making rights.

surrogacymedical ethicsreproductive lawchild welfareTexas law
Read the full story at ABC Action News (WFTS) — News

Why It Matters

This case highlights the legal complexity of surrogacy contracts and the authority of state courts to intervene in medical decisions for newborns when there is a dispute over life-saving treatment.

Key Facts

  • A Dallas judge issued an order on Tuesday requiring life-sustaining medical care for a newborn.
  • The child was born on Wednesday in Texas.
  • The child has hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a condition requiring complex surgeries.
  • Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton intervened in the case to support the surrogate mother.
  • The surrogate mother alleges the intended parents sought an abortion after the diagnosis at 20 weeks.
  • The intended parents deny they intended to refuse surgery and state they want to make medical decisions for their child.
  • A California court previously determined the surrogate has no legal or physical custody rights to the child.
  • The surrogate is currently barred from seeing or holding the child due to a temporary restraining order.
  • Approximately 925 babies are born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome in the U.S. annually.
  • Texas law allows courts to intervene in medical care if there is a risk of medical abuse or neglect.

Who's Mentioned

organizationCenters for Disease Control and Prevention“Provided medical data regarding hypoplastic left heart syndrome.”personOmar Ahmed“Intended parent of the child.”personLincoln Davis Wilson“Attorney for McKenna West.”personNausheen Gilkar“Intended parent of the child.”personMcKenna West“Surrogate mother who moved to Texas and initiated the legal dispute.”personKen Paxton“Texas Attorney General who intervened in support of the surrogate.”personLee Budner“Attorney for the intended parents.”personRachel Rebouché“University of Texas School of Law professor specializing in reproductive law.”