Overview
- The baby was born in Dallas on Aug. 12 and is receiving stabilizing, specialized care for hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a serious congenital defect that usually requires surgery soon after birth.
- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sought emergency relief and a Dallas judge on Aug. 11 ordered that the newborn receive medically indicated, life‑sustaining treatment and not be removed from Texas while courts consider the dispute.
- Less than 24 hours after delivery the child was placed in the physical custody of the intended parents and a separate court order temporarily bars the surrogate, McKenna West, from making medical decisions for the infant.
- The conflict began after an around‑20‑week fetal diagnosis prompted the intended parents to invoke a termination clause in their surrogacy contract; West says she refused and filed letters explaining her choice.
- The U.S. HHS Office for Civil Rights told Dallas hospitals they may not withhold care for disability reasons and the parties will return to Dallas County court on Aug. 25 as questions of parentage, contract enforcement and jurisdiction remain unresolved.