An Alaska surrogate says she was separated from a newborn about 60 seconds after giving birth in Texas, intensifying a custody dispute involving the child’s intended parents. McKenna West says she refused a request to terminate the pregnancy after the baby was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. The newborn later underwent a Norwood heart procedure and remains in critical and complex condition, according to the intended parents’ attorney.
The dispute involves medical decisions, parental rights and the child’s continuing treatment. The intended parents’ legal representative disputes key parts of West’s account and says they consented to surgery as soon as doctors determined the baby was eligible.
| 1) | Birth and immediate separation |
| 2) | The disputed abortion request |
| 3) | Newborn heart surgery and medical care |
| 4) | Competing custody positions |
| 5) | The legal and medical outlook |
Birth and immediate separation
McKenna West, an Alaska mother and cardiac nurse, gave birth in Texas on Aug. 12, 2026, after carrying the child as a surrogate. She says she saw and briefly held the newborn while the umbilical cord remained connected, but that the baby was taken away immediately after the cord was cut.
“I haven’t been allowed to hold this precious baby boy I carried and protected throughout my pregnancy.”
West described the separation as occurring roughly 60 seconds after birth. Her account has become central to her effort to remain involved in decisions concerning the child, while the intended parents maintain that legal orders govern custody and care.
The disputed abortion request
West agreed last year to serve as a surrogate for Omar Ahmed and Nausheen Gilkar, a California couple identified as the intended parents. She says they asked her to terminate the pregnancy at about 20 weeks, after doctors diagnosed the fetus with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a serious congenital condition affecting the development of the heart’s left side.
West refused the request and later traveled to Texas to deliver the baby. The intended parents’ attorney, Lee Budner, disputes important elements of West’s description of the events, including the suggestion that the parents opposed necessary treatment after birth.
Newborn heart surgery and medical care
The child, whom Ahmed and Gilkar call Rumi and whom West’s supporters refer to as Gabriel, was evaluated for a Norwood procedure. Budner said doctors determined on Aug. 14 that the newborn was eligible for the operation, the first of three open-heart surgeries commonly used in treating hypoplastic left heart syndrome.
According to Budner, the intended parents immediately consented to the operation once the medical team determined that it could proceed. The surgery took place on Aug. 17, and the baby is recovering under the care of Ahmed, Gilkar and his medical team. Budner said the child’s condition remains “critical and complex,” and the family does not plan to provide further medical updates.
Competing custody positions
West says she is not attempting to take another person’s child. She argues that the newborn needs an advocate who will help secure ongoing treatment for his heart condition and says she intends to continue her legal challenge with assistance from a nonprofit legal organization.
“I’m not fighting to try to take someone else’s baby. I’m fighting because this baby boy needs someone willing to advocate for and fight alongside him.”
Lila Rose, whose organization supports West, said West intends to continue seeking custody because she believes the baby needs protection and access to treatment. Budner, however, accused West of pursuing custody in violation of court orders issued in Alaska and California, an allegation West’s side contests.
The legal and medical outlook
The custody dispute remains linked to the newborn’s medical needs and the question of who may make decisions about his future care. The Norwood procedure is only the first of three surgeries typically associated with treatment for hypoplastic left heart syndrome, meaning the child may require prolonged specialist care.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton previously intervened by notifying two Texas medical centers of what his office described as their legal obligations to provide medically necessary treatment after the birth. West’s legal team says her objective is to ensure the baby receives comprehensive care, while the intended parents’ attorney says they are focused on the child’s health and safety and seek to defeat the custody claims.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | West says she was separated from the newborn about 60 seconds after the Aug. 12 birth. |
| 2 | She says she refused an abortion request after the diagnosis of hypoplastic left heart syndrome. |
| 3 | The newborn underwent a Norwood procedure on Aug. 17. |
| 4 | The intended parents’ attorney disputes West’s account and says they consented to surgery. |
| 5 | The custody fight continues as the child faces complex, potentially ongoing cardiac care. |
Summary
The case combines a contested surrogacy arrangement with urgent medical decisions for a newborn who has undergone major heart surgery. West says she is seeking a role in protecting the child’s welfare, while the intended parents maintain that they authorized treatment and are acting under applicable court orders. Further proceedings are expected to address custody, medical authority and the child’s continuing care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is involved in the custody dispute?
The dispute involves surrogate McKenna West and intended parents Omar Ahmed and Nausheen Gilkar. Their positions are being presented through separate legal and advocacy representatives.
What medical condition does the newborn have?
The newborn was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a serious congenital heart defect. He underwent the Norwood procedure, the first of several surgeries commonly used to treat the condition.
What is the current status of the case?
West is continuing to pursue a custody-related legal challenge, while the intended parents’ attorney says court orders support their position. The child remains under medical care in Texas, with his condition described as critical and complex.
