A surrogate nurse who refused an abortion appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court to keep a newborn with a severe heart defect in Texas.
McKenna West, 28, of Alaska, requested emergency action after courts named biological parents Nasheen Gilkar and Omar Ahmed legal guardians.
The Los Angeles couple contracted West for $60,000, with a clause permitting abortion for fetal anomalies.
Doctors diagnosed the baby with hypoplastic left heart syndrome at 20 weeks, requiring immediate surgery.
Recalling early pregnancy, West described initial checks, stating, “Everything had been going great”.
Detailing routine visits, West noted no warning signs, adding, “There had been no signs of anything being wrong”.
Confirming early health results, West recalled initial tests, remarking, “All genetic testing was normal”.
Following diagnosis, West moved to Texas, where abortion is illegal.
West delivered the child on Aug. 12, prompting custody disputes.
A guardian ad litem requested emergency intervention for care.
Urging swift action, attorneys for West requested a stay by 1 p.m. EST, writing, “That date appears to have been too conservative and an administrative stay is now needed by 1:00 EST tomorrow”.
West offered to drop her custody bid if the couple guarantees surgery, but her attorneys claim the pair refused.
Meanwhile, the couple sued West for $100,000, accusing her of withholding the infant.
Testifying in Dallas, Gilkar voiced frustration, stating, “She’s making us run from doctor to doctor, state to state”.
Accusing West of taking the newborn, Gilkar addressed the court, adding, “With our baby — she’s trying to take him”.
Expressing affection for her son, Gilkar shared her feelings, stating, “He’s the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen”.
Reaffirming her family bond, Gilkar described the infant’s importance, remarking, “He’s the love of our lives”.