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NewsWFLA News TampaAugust 14, 2026Hillsborough

Texas court orders medical care for baby born to surrogate against biological parents' wishes

A Texas court has ordered that a baby born with a heart defect receive lifesaving medical care and barred the surrogate mother from making medical decisions or claiming guardianship. The surrogate, McKenna West, had refused the biological parents' request to terminate the pregnancy due to a fetal anomaly and traveled to Texas to give birth.

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Why It Matters

The case highlights a legal conflict between surrogacy contract enforcement, , and parental rights regarding medical decisions for a child with a life-threatening condition.

Key Facts

  • A baby was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a life-threatening congenital heart condition.
  • The biological parents sought to terminate the pregnancy at 20 weeks due to the fetal anomaly.
  • The surrogacy contract signed by McKenna West allowed the intended parents to choose abortion in cases of fetal anomaly.
  • McKenna West refused the abortion and traveled to Texas to give birth.
  • A Texas court issued an order on Aug. 11 requiring lifesaving medical care for the child.
  • The court order prohibits West from presenting herself as the parent or guardian.
  • The court order bars West from making medical decisions for the child.
  • A temporary restraining order prevents the biological parents from removing the child from Texas until a hearing in late August.
  • The biological parents have filed a lawsuit against West.
  • The child requires multiple surgeries to treat the heart condition.

Who's Mentioned

personOmar Ahmed“Biological father of the child.”locationLos Angeles“Home of the biological parents.”personLincoln Wilson“Attorney for McKenna West.”personNausheen Gilkar“Biological mother of the child.”personMcKenna West“The surrogate mother who gave birth to the child.”personKen Paxton“Texas Attorney General who intervened in the case.”organizationLive Action“Anti-abortion group that provided support to the surrogate.”personLee Budner“Attorney for the biological parents.”locationDallas“Location where the baby was born.”