California couple and their surrogate testify in Texas court as dispute over newborn escalates

A California couple and their surrogate appeared in a Texas court on Tuesday, as the dispute over a newborn with a life-threatening heart defect escalated. The child, born on August 12, has hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a congenital defect that prevents normal blood flow. The couple, Nausheen Gilkar and Omar Ahmed, claim the child is their own and are seeking parental rights. Their surrogate, McKenna West, argues she should have sole conservatorship to make medical decisions for the baby.

The hearing provided the first public insight into the dispute, which has drawn right-to-life groups and GOP officeholders to support West. West, a nurse who traveled from Alaska to give birth in Texas where most abortions are banned, told the court she initially wanted an abortion but changed her mind after learning of the baby's diagnosis. She said she knew the child had a good chance of survival and a long life.

The couple argues West violated the surrogacy contract they signed in August 2025 and that she should not have conservatorship because they were committed to ensuring the baby received life-saving care. West's attorney pressed the couple on whether they had reconsidered their decision to terminate the pregnancy, but they maintained their stance. The judge has not yet ruled on custody or conservatorship, and the restraining order barring West from seeing or holding the child remains in effect.