Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has stepped into a life-or-death legal battle for an unborn child. The baby, named Gabriel, has a treatable heart condition. His biological parents are suing to abort him, while surrogate mother McKenna West is fighting to protect him.
Gabriel was diagnosed in utero with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), Paxton’s office explains, describing the health issue as a congenital heart condition. Treatment for the condition involves three surgeries, one of which occurs shortly after birth.
West has traveled to Texas to protect the unborn child and to ensure he would be near doctors to treat his condition. The baby’s biological parents have refused to consent to the surgery and may attempt to transport Gabriel out of Texas, Paxton’s office said.
Within 24-hours of intervening in the case, Paxton secured an emergency order to protect Gabriel’s life. “The court has made the right decision in immediately acting to protect baby Gabriel’s life and ensure he receives the care he deserves,” the attorney general said in a statement. “My office utilized every tool at our disposal to protect life, and we will not back down in continuing to support baby Gabriel’s well-being. Every child in our state deserves to be cared for and protected, and that’s exactly what I’ll fight for.”
According to the court order secured by Paxton, medical care will be provided to Gabriel upon his birth. The order also prevents anyone from blocking the infant’s treatment. “Upon the child’s live birth, medically indicated stabilizing and life-sustaining care shall be provided to the child pending further order of this Court,” it declares. “No person shall withhold, direct the withholding of, obstruct, or delay that care.”
