Surrogate's abortion refusal triggers six-figure countersuit in Texas birth case

A Texas-born surrogate, McKenna West, refused to abort after the baby was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, and the biological parents, Nausheen Gilkar and Omar Ahmed, filed countersuits seeking more than $100,000 for breach of their surrogacy agreement and emotional distress. West denies wrongdoing and seeks dismissal of the claims. The dispute has involved multiple states and drew emergency court action to ensure life-saving care for the newborn, Gabriel, who underwent heart surgery after birth; a Dallas County hearing is scheduled for Aug. 25.