Alaska nurse McKenna West, 28, is embroiled in a legal conflict with California couple Nausheen Gilkar and Omar Ahmed after she refused to terminate the pregnancy of their child, who was found to have hypoplastic left heart syndrome.
West, who is a cardiac nurse, stated in an op-ed that she believed the infant had a viable chance at a full life with surgical intervention. She claims that when the couple requested she abort the fetus after a 20-week ultrasound revealed the heart condition, she refused because she could not “participate in killing him.”
According to West, the couple, who had paid her $60,000 to carry the child, subsequently stopped covering her medical expenses. She states she covered the remainder of her pregnancy costs and found a hospital in Texas with a high survival rate for the necessary procedure. West gave birth to the child on August 12 in Texas. She reported that the infant underwent his first surgery shortly after birth.
West asserted that she has not seen the infant since his birth, except for a brief moment before his umbilical cord was cut. She stated she is not seeking to take custody of the child but rather to ensure he receives ongoing medical treatment.
Gilkar and Ahmed have filed a lawsuit against West, seeking over $100,000 in damages, alleging malicious and outrageous conduct and breach of contract. They deny threatening West and claim they have suffered emotional distress. The couple reportedly named the boy Rumi and stated they are working with medical professionals for his care.
West received a legal reprieve on August 11 when a Dallas family district court granted a temporary restraining order. The order, supported by a brief from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, prevents anyone from withholding or obstructing the infant’s medically necessary treatment. An associate judge also appointed a legal guardian for the child.
However, the court order prohibits West from having any contact with the baby. The infant is currently in the custody of Gilkar and Ahmed. West's attorney indicated that she intends to pursue legal action to become the child's legal parent.