A woman acting as a surrogate who refused to abort her baby despite the wishes of the commission couple, who are the child’s biological parents, has given birth to a little boy.
The case of McKenna West, which has drawn international attention and controversy over surrogacy and abortion, came to light after the unborn child she was carrying was diagnosed with a severe but treatable heart condition.
Ms West delivered the baby she named Gabriel in the Dallas area yesterday, according to the New York Post.
Background
In late 2025, McKenna West, a nurse and single mother of two from Alaska, became a surrogate through IVF. At the 20 week anatomy scan, the unborn baby was diagnosed with a rare condition known as hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS).
Despite assurances from specialists involved regarding the good chance of survival once the necessary surgeries are performed after birth, and McKenna discovering a hospital in Dallas with a 100% success rate for these surgeries, she says the commissioning couple tried to insist on abortion — as per a clause in the contract McKenna signed.
McKenna was scheduled for a 24 week abortion in May of this year, but could not bring herself to do it. Her brother offered to do whatever it takes to support her and the baby. McKenna has also filed for custody of the baby, who she named Gabriel at that stage of the pregnancy.
As a result, McKenna is being sued by the couple who hired her for refusing the abortion, and has stopped receiving payments from them to support her during these late stages of pregnancy. She is also being ordered to repay the couple every cent that has been paid to her thus far.
McKenna has stated that her goal is for the couple to commit to getting baby Gabriel the necessary surgery after his birth, which she said they refused. Instead, they have filed a lawsuit to require her to give birth in California, which means baby Gabriel will receive medical care from a team of the couple’s choosing. Knowing that their desire was for the little boy to be aborted, and believing that there was no commitment to providing him with the potentially life-saving surgeries he deserves, McKenna said she refused to deliver the baby in California.
The Alaska Superior Court denied a motion to force McKenna to relocate to California for the delivery of the child, but at the same time recognised that a California court can determine where she gives birth and the medical team that treats her and baby Gabriel.
Texas AG issues statement
Several US legislators publicly supported McKenna West and the right to life of baby Gabriel, including Texas Attorney General, Ken Paxton.
On X, the US public official shared a statement on the matter, with the clear intention of “fighting to save an unborn child”, and “demanding that Dallas hospitals provide life-saving care” to baby Gabriel.
He has asked the district court to enter orders for directing baby Gabriel’s care upon birth and barring his removal from Texas, as well as asking for an expedited hearing on the issue of refusing treatment.
The Texas A.G. has also sent a letter to UT Southwestern and Dallas Children’s hospital, with the goal of reminding the relevant physicians of their legal duty to give Gabriel life-saving treatment, regardless of who is given legal custody over the boy, even if that means acting in the best interests of baby Gabriel without parental consent or a court order.
U.S. Congressman Chris Smith also released a statement sharing his support for McKenna, and calling for baby Gabriel to receive the necessary surgeries.
”Ms. West has demonstrated heroic courage and love for this baby. According to reports, despite the threat of financial ruin, she refused to abort the baby boy, filed for custody, and relocated to Texas near a hospital that is equipped to begin treatment for his condition after he is born. Ms. West stated, ‘I want to fight for him because he deserves that chance’ and ‘my goal is to get him surgery.’
We must remain committed to building a nation that values human life, insists upon equal justice under the law, and respects the rights and dignity of the disabled and vulnerable. The Courts should immediately give custody of this baby to those willing to welcome him, protect him, and ensure that he has a chance to receive care that could save his life.”
A miserably poor reflection on our society
Despite the recent positive development, one cannot help but comment on the tragic absurdity of the entire situation. There should be absolutely no question about baby Gabriel’s right to receive life-saving care. However, since we live in a world that celebrates the killing-at-whim of the most vulnerable among us, here we are.
The case also serves as a reminder of the ethical issues surrounding surrogacy. The couple who hired McKenna West are two individuals who act contrary to the ethics demanding respect for human life — proven by their relentless push for aborting the baby they paid to have conceived. But they are not even the main issue here. For more on this, see our recent piece here.
Megan Scallan. This article was first printed by the Life Institute and is published here