Nausheen Gilkar and Omar Ahmed news
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
A California couple's surrogate gave birth in Texas after a judge ordered life-saving care. The baby is now in the intended parents' custody amid a dispute over treatment.
Background
Nausheen Gilkar and Omar Ahmed, a California couple, used surrogate McKenna West, an Alaska nurse, to have a child. The baby was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a serious heart condition. The couple requested an abortion, citing their surrogacy agreement, but West refused and moved to Texas. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton intervened, and a Dallas judge ordered life-sustaining care for the baby after birth.
How it unfolded
- Aug 10, 2026Texas AG Ken Paxton sent a letter to hospitals alleging the intended parents would refuse consent to surgery and might move the child to California to withhold treatment.
- Aug 11, 2026A Dallas district court issued an emergency order requiring hospitals to provide life-sustaining care to the baby upon birth.
- Aug 12, 2026The baby was born in Dallas. The parents' attorney said the baby is receiving medical care and accused West and Paxton of 'political theater.'
- Aug 13, 2026The baby is now in the physical custody of the intended parents, receiving specialized care at a tertiary care center.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Texas AG Ken Paxton intervened, alleging the parents refused to consent to life-saving surgery and sought to move the child to California.
- Parents
- The parents' attorney said they never intended to refuse surgery and accused West and Paxton of turning a family tragedy into 'political theater.'
- Surrogate
- McKenna West's attorney said she was not able to see or hold the child due to a temporary restraining order, and she has drawn support from right-to-life groups.
Still unverified
The parents' alleged request for abortion and refusal of surgery is disputed; the parents deny these claims. The baby's name is disputed; activists call him 'Gabriel,' but the parents say that is not his name.