Surrogate and intended parents in legal dispute over baby with heart condition

A legal battle has emerged in Texas following the birth of a baby diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a rare congenital heart condition. The surrogate, McKenna West, traveled to Texas after alleging that the intended parents, Nausheen Gilkar and Omar Ahmed, demanded she undergo an abortion upon learning of the diagnosis at 20 weeks. The couple’s legal team has denied these allegations, characterizing West’s attempts to intervene in the child's medical care as baseless.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton intervened in the case, securing a court order to ensure the infant receives life-sustaining medical treatment. While the state order mandates care, a separate temporary restraining order has granted the intended parents physical custody and the authority to make medical decisions for the child. Attorney Lee Budner confirmed the baby is currently in the couple's custody at a medical facility. West continues to seek access to the child, while state officials maintain that their involvement is focused on ensuring the infant receives necessary medical attention under Texas law.