The biological parents of a baby born after their surrogate declined their abortion request are pursuing over $100,000 in damages. They accuse her of breaching their surrogacy agreement. Nausheen Gilkar and Omar Ahmed filed a countersuit against surrogate McKenna West, alleging her refusal caused them emotional distress, according to TMZ.
The couple claimed they paid West $60,000 during her pregnancy. The surrogacy agreement they say included terms regarding termination. A multistate legal contest later emerged when the baby received a hypoplastic left heart syndrome diagnosis, a severe congenital heart defect. Gilkar and Ahmed reportedly requested an abortion, to which West disagreed, later giving birth in Texas.
Lila Rose of Live Action, a pro-life organization supporting West, condemned the lawsuit, stating it retaliates against West for safeguarding the child’s life. West denies wrongdoing and has sought dismissal of the counterclaims. She asserts parental rights, naming the child Gabriel, while the biological parents refer to the baby as Rumi.
On Aug. 12, the baby was born and underwent a Norwood procedure, the first of three surgeries typically necessary for children with this condition. Assistant Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton backed West in court, ensuring the newborn received all necessary medical care.
Rose emphasized that West’s refusal to comply with the abortion request led to the child’s current survival. She argues that no contract should enable one individual to order another’s death. Attorney Lee Budner, representing the biological parents, confirmed the successful procedure but criticized West’s continued fight for custody as baseless.
An emergency court order secured by Paxton required critical medical treatment, ensuring no delays. Additionally, the federal Office for Civil Rights reminded the hospitals of their duty to provide discrimination-free care. The baby’s biological parents consented to the surgery, focusing now on their son’s recovery. Legal proceedings continue in Texas regarding West’s parental rights.
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