Surrogate in Texas gives birth to baby with heart defect after parents sought abortion

A surrogate mother, McKenna West, gave birth to a baby in Texas after fleeing the state due to the baby's diagnosis of hypoplastic left heart syndrome at approximately 20 weeks of pregnancy. The diagnosis led the biological parents to request an abortion, according to a statement from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's office. After West's arrival in Texas, Paxton intervened and notified UT Southwestern Medical Center and Children’s Medical Center of Dallas about their legal obligations to provide necessary medical care to the newborn. The baby, named Gabriel, was born on Wednesday and was taken to a neonatal intensive care unit for potential lifesaving surgery. Paxton expressed his commitment to ensuring that Gabriel receives the required medical care, stating that every child deserves protection and care under Texas law.