By The Daily Caller (U.S.) | Created at 2026-08-12 21:30:00 | Updated at 2026-08-12 22:57:00
4 hours ago
A Texas court ruled Tuesday that a baby boy with a heart defect must receive treatment after birth.
The child, named Gabriel, was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) at 20 weeks gestation, according to a Tuesday press release from Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s Office. The child is being carried by a surrogate, McKenna West, who traveled to Texas for protection after his intended parents, Nausheen Gilkar and Omar Ahmed, allegedly pressured her to abort, according to the same press release and the court order.
The court order states that “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” and “No person shall withhold, direct the withholding of, obstruct, or delay that care.” The child is also not to be removed from the State of Texas, but can be transferred to another hospital if medically necessary.
Surrogate McKenna West who refuses to abort baby despite its biological parents wishes scores early legal victory https://t.co/YomQh6gNG5 pic.twitter.com/7uMoxHOZhu
— New York Post (@nypost) August 12, 2026Paxton reacted to the court order, according to the same press release.
“Baby Gabriel deserves a chance at life, and I will not allow anyone to unlawfully deny him medically necessary care,” Paxton said. “My office will use every tool available to protect innocent lives and ensure that every child receives the care required under Texas law,” he continued. (RELATED: Family Sues Gynecologist After He Allegedly Impregnated Woman With His Own Sperm)
HLHS is a congenital heart defect, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The left side of the heart, including the left ventricle, aorta, and mitral and aortic valves, does not develop properly, which causes problems with pumping blood to the rest of the body.
Approximately 1 in 3,800 babies are born with HLHS in the U.S. annually, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The condition typically affects boys more than girls and is treated with three separate surgeries, with one occurring in the first two weeks of life.
Gilkar and Ahmed have allegedly refused to say if they’ll consent to the initial surgery and may attempt to transport the child out of Texas, according to the same press release from Paxton’s office.
The pair lives in California and has purportedly asked a court to order West to give birth in their state, according to CBS News. West is from Alaska, the outlet reported.
An Alaska Court previously ruled that West could make her own medical decisions, including where she would deliver the baby, according to a July 27 order.
