A surrogate mother, McKenna West, 28, is embroiled in a legal conflict with the biological parents of the child she is carrying, Nausheen Gilkar and Omar Ahmed, a dispute that has escalated to include the infant's name. West, an Alaska nurse, has named the newborn Gabriel, while the California couple, in court filings, refer to the baby as Rumi.
The couple claims West is violating their surrogacy agreement by using a different name, according to reports. West's legal team asserts that the contract only permitted the parents to "name any child born" under the agreement and to have that name placed on the birth certificate. West maintains she has only given the infant a nickname and has not prevented the parents from officially naming the child Rumi. She also stated that the nickname is for privacy and that a California judge advised both parties to avoid using either name, as it could be "triggering to both sides."
This disagreement over the name is part of a larger lawsuit filed by Gilkar and Ahmed, who are seeking over $100,000 in damages related to the newborn. The surrogacy arrangement was established in August through Worldwide Surrogacy Specialists LLC.
West's attorneys allege that the couple pressured her for weeks to terminate the pregnancy after the baby was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a condition where the left side of the heart is underdeveloped. This condition can lead to breathing problems, weak pulse, and bluish skin, but is treatable with surgeries shortly after birth. According to court documents, the couple claimed West had initially agreed to an abortion. However, they allege she later changed her mind and ceased communication.
Further complicating the legal proceedings, the couple claimed that West agreed to give birth in California to facilitate the infant's cardiac treatment there. Court filings from the parents state West's relocation to Texas, and subsequent birth in that state, is "harming Rumi" by separating him from his parents and the specialized cardiac team in Los Angeles. West's actions, they allege, are "forcing" the newborn to undergo critical heart surgery and treatment in one state and then be transferred to another.
Despite the alleged pressure from the parents to abort, West discovered a hospital in Texas with a high success rate for the initial surgery required. She was subsequently connected with Lila Rose, founder of the anti-abortion group Live Action, who offered assistance in getting West to Texas. Days before the birth, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced his office was intervening to "protect baby Gabriel's life," notifying Dallas-area medical centers of their legal obligations to provide life-saving care and accusing Gilkar and Ahmed of refusing consent for necessary surgery. An associate judge issued a temporary restraining order to ensure the newborn received treatment, but also barred West from contact with the baby post-birth.
The child has since undergone the Norwood procedure, a major heart surgery. The couple's attorney, Lee Budner, stated the newborn is "recuperating under the loving care of his parents and his heroic team of doctors, nurses and medical staff." He added that the family intends to share no further updates, noting the child's condition remains critical and complex, and requested privacy for their son's recovery. West commented that her "focus has always been on protecting this precious baby’s life" and expressed satisfaction that the first of three necessary surgeries had been completed. She emphasized the importance of ensuring the baby receives ongoing life-saving care, which she stated the other side is contesting in court.