Alaska Surrogate Appeals Newborn Custody to Supreme Court

McKenna West, an Alaska nurse who served as a surrogate for California couple Nausheen Gilkar and Omar Ahmed, has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene in a custody dispute involving the baby she carried. Doctors diagnosed the fetus with hypoplastic left heart syndrome during the pregnancy; West says the intended parents urged her to have an abortion, while the couple acknowledges discussing the option but says they ultimately chose to continue the pregnancy. West traveled to Texas, gave birth in August, and sought authority over the child’s care, while Texas officials and courts ensured the newborn received medical treatment. A California court recognized Gilkar and Ahmed as the legal parents, and a Texas court later dismissed West’s claims; she is seeking a stay and the ability to remain involved in medical decisions, arguing that the couple may not provide appropriate care, while the couple maintains its parental rights under the surrogacy agreement.