Surrogate gives birth in Texas amid legal fight over baby's care

McKenna West, a surrogate for a California couple, gave birth on Wednesday in Texas, a day after a Dallas judge ordered life-sustaining treatment for the newborn, who has a severe congenital heart defect. The case has drawn national attention and political intervention.

The dispute

West, a nurse from Alaska, was carrying the child for Omar Ahmed and Nausheen Gilkar. At 20 weeks, the fetus was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), a condition where the left side of the heart is underdeveloped. West's lawyers allege the couple pressured her to abort; the couple denies this and says they never intended to refuse surgery Source: CNN.

Legal intervention

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, intervened on West's behalf, and a judge ordered that the baby receive any necessary medical treatment and not be moved out of Texas Source: Diario Libre. The couple's lawyer, Lee Budner, accused West and Paxton of turning a family tragedy into "political theater" Source: CNN.

What's next

The baby is stable and scheduled for surgery at a Texas hospital Source: CNN. The couple maintains they want to be involved in medical decisions and spend time with their child Source: Diario Libre. The legal battle over custody and treatment continues.