Surrogate McKenna West who refuses to abort baby despite its biological parents wishes scores early legal victory
A surrogate who refuses to abort her unborn baby despite the wishes of his biological parents has scored an early legal victory in the case – just weeks before her due date.McKenna West, an Alaskan nurse, is set to give birth to the fetus she has named Gabriel on Sept.2 but during her pregnancy, he was diagnosed with the severe but treatable heart condition hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS).His parents Nausheen Gilkar and Omar Ahmed, from California, called on West to seek an abortion – but she has traveled to Texas where she will be recognized as the birth mother under state law.Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a petition that urges doctors to give Gabriel “life-saving” care when he is born and stop him from being taken out of the state.A court granted the petition Tuesday and it states, “Upon the child’s live birth, medically indicated stabilizing and life-sustaining care shall be provided to the child pending further order of this Court.“No person shall withhold, direct the withholding of, obstruct, or delay that care.“Upon the child’s live birth and pending further order of this Court, no person shall: remove the child from the [hospital where he’s treated], [and] remove the child from the state of Texas.”Lawyers for Gilker and Ahmed have not commented on West’s legal victory.“The court has made the right decision in immediately acting to protect baby Gabriel’s life and ensure he receives the care he deserves,” Paxton said following the judge’s order.“My office utilized every tool at our disposal to protect life, and we will not back down in continuing to support baby Gabriel’s well-being.
“Every child in our state deserves to be cared for and protected, and that’s exactly what I’ll fight for.” Newborns diagnosed with HLHS require surgery almost immediately after birth in order to survive past their first week. Babies who are operated on have a 75% chance of making it to 5 years old, and those who make i...