Surrogate who refused to abort at biological parents' request gives birth in Texas

McKenna West, a surrogate who refused to abort the fetus at the request of the biological parents from California, gave birth in Texas to a baby with a congenital heart defect. The court issued an emergency order directing hospitals in Dallas to provide life-saving treatment. Due to the court order, West is barred from seeing or holding the baby. The biological parents are suing her, and the hearing is set for August 25.

A legal and moral drama reached its peak yesterday (Wednesday) in the Dallas area of Texas, when McKenna West, a surrogate who refused to abort the fetus she was carrying, gave birth earlier than planned. Her attorney confirmed to The Dallas Morning News that the baby, named Gabriel, was born this morning and is expected to undergo life-saving treatment immediately due to a congenital heart defect with which he was diagnosed. However, due to a standing court order, West is barred from seeing or holding the baby. The legal dispute began in April, when the fetus was diagnosed at 20 weeks of pregnancy with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). The surrogacy contract included a clause allowing termination of pregnancy in case of an "anomaly," and the biological parents demanded an abortion. West, a single mother of two, refused and moved to Texas, where she is recognized as the birth mother. On Tuesday, the eve of the birth, the court accepted the petition of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and issued an emergency order directing two hospitals in Dallas to provide the baby with critical care and life-saving surgery. The future of custody of the baby remains uncertain: West's attorney noted that she would consider taking the child if the court allows it, while the biological parents are expected to appear in court in Dallas County on August 25.