{"id":44380,"date":"2026-08-14T13:12:34","date_gmt":"2026-08-14T08:12:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=44380"},"modified":"2026-08-14T13:12:34","modified_gmt":"2026-08-14T08:12:34","slug":"mckenna-west-gives-birth-rogue-surrogate-sued-by-the-parents","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=44380","title":{"rendered":"McKenna West Gives Birth; Rogue Surrogate Sued by The Parents"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div xmlns:default=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:default1=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<p><span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 3<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>After fleeing to another state with another set of legal considerations, surrogate McKenna West has given birth.<\/p>\n<p>Hers is an odd story that seems pretty miserable for everyone involved.<\/p>\n<p>Flouting her contract and fleeing to another state, West hoped that she\u2019d be recognized as the birth mother.<\/p>\n<p>The parents are suing her as they prepare to give their newborn son a series of major surgeries. And yes, they\u2019re facing off in court in a fairly unique clash of inter-state law.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/08\/0813_kenpaxton_01-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Ken Paxton, Attorney General of Texas.\" class=\"wp-image-561053\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/08\/0813_kenpaxton_01-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/08\/0813_kenpaxton_01-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/08\/0813_kenpaxton_01-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/08\/0813_kenpaxton_01-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/08\/0813_kenpaxton_01-960x640.jpg 960w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/08\/0813_kenpaxton_01-1080x720.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/08\/0813_kenpaxton_01-1200x800.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\"\/><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/08\/0813_kenpaxton_01-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Ken Paxton, Attorney General of Texas.\" class=\"wp-image-561053 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/08\/0813_kenpaxton_01-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/08\/0813_kenpaxton_01-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/08\/0813_kenpaxton_01-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/08\/0813_kenpaxton_01-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/08\/0813_kenpaxton_01-960x640.jpg 960w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/08\/0813_kenpaxton_01-1080x720.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/08\/0813_kenpaxton_01-1200x800.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/08\/0813_kenpaxton_01-scaled.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has been accused of using the McKenna West case for \u201cpolitical theater.\u201d<span class=\"image-caption-credit\"> (Photo Credit: Chip Somodevilla\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-is-mckenna-west-s-story\">What is McKenna West\u2019s story?<\/h2>\n<p>West was a surrogate \u2014 specifically, a gestational carrier \u2014 from Alaska.<\/p>\n<p>(Gestational carriers are implanted with an embryo from another couple, but are colloquially referred to as \u201csurrogates\u201d by most folks.)<\/p>\n<p>She had agreed to go through a pregnancy for a couple who live in California.<\/p>\n<p>Part of the surrogacy agreement contained a clause allowing the couple \u2014 the parents-to-be \u2014 to terminate the pregnancy if prenatal testing uncovered any anomalies, just as they would have had one of them been pregnant.<\/p>\n<p>This is all pretty standard fare for a surrogacy arrangement and contract. But, as you can imagine, this is where it all went awry.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"thg-ytf\" data-ytid=\"0nHgjV2m76c\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/0nHgjV2m76c\/hqdefault.jpg\" alt=\"Surrogate gives birth in Texas after dispute over baby\u2019s care\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/0nHgjV2m76c\/hqdefault.jpg\" alt=\"Surrogate gives birth in Texas after dispute over baby\u2019s care\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" class=\"lazyload\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"\/><button type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Play video: Surrogate gives birth in Texas after dispute over baby\u2019s care\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 68 48\" width=\"68\" height=\"48\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M66.5 7.7a8 8 0 0 0-5.6-5.7C56 .7 34 .7 34 .7s-22 0-26.9 1.3A8 8 0 0 0 1.5 7.7 83 83 0 0 0 .2 24a83 83 0 0 0 1.3 16.3 8 8 0 0 0 5.6 5.7C12 47.3 34 47.3 34 47.3s22 0 26.9-1.3a8 8 0 0 0 5.6-5.7A83 83 0 0 0 67.8 24a83 83 0 0 0-1.3-16.3z\" fill=\"#f00\"\/><path d=\"M27 34l18-10-18-10z\" fill=\"#fff\"\/><\/svg><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>At the 20 week scan, doctors discovered that the fetus had hypoplastic left heart syndrome.<\/p>\n<p>HLHS is a rare birth defect. The left side of the heart is severely underdeveloped and incapable of aiding in a healthy circulatory system.<\/p>\n<p>Treatments are drastic and involve <em>three<\/em> major heart surgeries.<\/p>\n<p>The Norwood procedure takes place within days of birth. The Glenn procedure is performed upon the infant several months later. At around preschool age, patients must undergo the Fontan procedure.<\/p>\n<p>Heart surgeries upon a baby or small child are traumatic and carry major risks. Even those who undergo all three treatments face major risks, with 30% not even surviving childhood to become adults.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/Db9pbPsjoxQ\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"\/>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-will-the-courts-decide-this-case-involves-three-states-two-parents-and-a-surrogate-and-some-political-theater-for-ken-paxton\">What will the courts decide? This case involves three states, two parents, and a surrogate (and some political theater for Ken Paxton)<\/h2>\n<p>When the parents-to-be learned of this diagnosis, they made the difficult decision to trigger the clause and terminate the pregnancy.<\/p>\n<p>But that is not what happened.<\/p>\n<p>Instead, West refused. She also fled to Texas, where she hopes that local laws would consider her to be the \u201cbirth mother\u201d even though the child is not hers genetically.<\/p>\n<p>Her due date was on September 2, but she gave birth on Wednesday, August 12, in the Dallas area.<\/p>\n<p>West also took the audacious step of naming the child, selecting \u201cGabriel\u201d for a child who is in a legal gray area.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"thg-ytf\" data-ytid=\"ecPKMpyS2tk\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/ecPKMpyS2tk\/hqdefault.jpg\" alt=\"Texas surrogacy case raises questions over who decides treatment for an unborn child\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/ecPKMpyS2tk\/hqdefault.jpg\" alt=\"Texas surrogacy case raises questions over who decides treatment for an unborn child\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" class=\"lazyload\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"\/><button type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Play video: Texas surrogacy case raises questions over who decides treatment for an unborn child\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 68 48\" width=\"68\" height=\"48\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M66.5 7.7a8 8 0 0 0-5.6-5.7C56 .7 34 .7 34 .7s-22 0-26.9 1.3A8 8 0 0 0 1.5 7.7 83 83 0 0 0 .2 24a83 83 0 0 0 1.3 16.3 8 8 0 0 0 5.6 5.7C12 47.3 34 47.3 34 47.3s22 0 26.9-1.3a8 8 0 0 0 5.6-5.7A83 83 0 0 0 67.8 24a83 83 0 0 0-1.3-16.3z\" fill=\"#f00\"\/><path d=\"M27 34l18-10-18-10z\" fill=\"#fff\"\/><\/svg><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>As you can imagine, the baby\u2019s parents are feeling several emotions after this roller coaster.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOur clients\u2019 only focus at this time is ensuring that their baby receives the medical care that he vitally needs and that they, as his parents, are able to spend every precious moment they can with him,\u201d their attorney told <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dallasnews.com\/business\/health-care\/article\/surrogacy-mckenna-west-birth-22385469.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Dallas Morning News<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>The parents are (obviously) suing West. They are due in court later this month. In the meantime, West is at least not allowed to see or care for their child.<\/p>\n<p>Her attorney has expressed that she has considered taking the child if the court finds that she is allowed to.<\/p>\n<p>It sounds like this is a classic case of breach of contract, but with a lot of personal pain and a very real chance that the parents will end up losing their child \u2014 whatever they may name him \u2014 in the coming decade or so. <\/p>\n<p>We will hope for the best for a family that has already been through so much as they face both the medical and legal hurdles to come.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Reading Time: 3 minutes After fleeing to another state with another set of legal considerations, surrogate McKenna West has given birth. Hers is an odd story that seems pretty miserable for everyone involved. Flouting her contract and fleeing to another state, West hoped that she\u2019d be recognized as the birth mother. The parents are suing&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":44381,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2026\/08\/0813_kenpaxton_header-1024x569.png","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-44380","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-celebrity-gossip"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44380","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=44380"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44380\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/44381"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=44380"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=44380"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=44380"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}