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Supreme Court Asked to Halt Custody Fight Over Newborn

By Drooid · Sep 11, 2026, 11:29 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

McKenna West Appeals

Surrogate McKenna West petitioned the Supreme Court to intervene in a multistate custody dispute.
The 4-week-old boy, born Aug. 12 in Dallas, has hypoplastic left heart syndrome.
Texas court on Sept. 2 upheld a California ruling granting custody to Omar Ahmed and Nausheen Gilkar.
Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office sought an order for life-sustaining care at UT Southwestern and Children’s Medical Center Dallas.

Summary

West Custody Bid

Republican officials rallied behind West, calling her custody bid a pro-life victory.
Attorney General Ken Paxton intervened, aligning with his long-term strategy to use Texas law to limit abortions.
Commentators label the dispute a culture-war flashpoint over surrogate and fetal rights.
BBC framed the lawsuit as emblematic of the national abortion debate.

Summary

West Files Suit

The newborn received the Norwood Procedure under a Texas emergency court order on Aug. 17.
Surrogate McKenna West traveled to Dallas to give birth despite state abortion bans.
Parents Omar Ahmed and Nausheen Gilkar sought a restraining order barring West from seeing their child.
West filed a $100,000 damages lawsuit against the parents.
Texas lawmakers are considering legislation to restrict surrogacy after the high-profile dispute.

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McKenna West Appeals

Surrogate McKenna West petitioned the Supreme Court to intervene in a multistate custody dispute.
The 4-week-old boy, born Aug. 12 in Dallas, has hypoplastic left heart syndrome.
Texas court on Sept. 2 upheld a California ruling granting custody to Omar Ahmed and Nausheen Gilkar.
Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office sought an order for life-sustaining care at UT Southwestern and Children’s Medical Center Dallas.

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