McKenna West, a surrogate mother, claims that the biological parents of her baby, Nausheen Gilkar and Omar Ahmed, are facing financial difficulties after they allegedly asked her to terminate the pregnancy but then did not take steps to do so. Her attorney and a growing online fundraiser are drawing attention to her situation.
The fundraiser, active on GiveSendGo, has gathered over $66,000 to assist West, who has had to cover travel and living expenses while she fights to save the life of her baby. “Mr. McKenna has already sacrificed so much,” the campaign notes.
West, a 28-year-old nurse from Alaska, reportedly left Los Angeles on Wednesday to give birth to her biological son, despite the couple’s earlier request for an abortion after a serious heart condition was identified at around 20 weeks. Now, she finds herself in need of financial support to stay in Dallas.
“She has lost the payments she relied on and faces potential legal action for any funds paid to or for her since her surrogacy journey started,” reads a portion of the fundraiser, created by someone named Ellen.
Additionally, the campaign highlights that West has relocated and taken time off work, as she nears the depletion of her paid time off from her nursing position in Anchorage with the original due date of September 2nd approaching.
West is determined to fight for custody after the baby was placed with the biological parents less than a day after birth, although reproductive attorney Mara Neufeld previously indicated that West has limited legal rights to the child.
West’s lawyer, Lincoln Wilson, asserted that the intended parents “haven’t given her anything.” He emphasizes that since requesting the abortion, “nothing” has happened, despite the surrogacy contract allowing for a termination if “anomalies” are found.
In legal documents, however, Gilkar and Ahmed claim that West initially agreed to the abortion but later changed her mind, accusing them of trying to pressure her, which they deny.
According to court documents, the couple ultimately chose to monitor the pregnancy, naming the boy Rumi, and having West deliver him in California for ongoing treatment for hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS).
Wilson asserted on Friday that during the negotiation of the surrogacy agreement, a lawyer warned West that she could be penalized with a $250,000 fine if she did not go through with the abortion, indicating significant pressure to terminate the pregnancy.
Despite this, West opted not to terminate and instead traveled to Texas, where she is recognized as the biological mother under state law.
While Wilson claimed West isn’t motivated by financial gain, she had, in the past, acknowledged that financial support was a significant reason for entering the surrogacy agreement. “I thought this could be a great way to help families financially while giving them the priceless gift of children,” she reflected.
What began as a promising arrangement has now evolved into a complex legal and financial ordeal, with custody disputes spreading across three states.
Wilson mentioned that even with potential compensation, West “put herself at significant risk to ensure the baby received the necessary medical attention.”
“It’s outrageous to enforce a contract without payment completion on the other side, yet they demand all the rights that come with it,” he expressed in frustration.
Although a California court has ruled that Gilkar and Ahmed are the legal parents of the baby, Wilson stated that they are ready to pursue the custody dispute to the Supreme Court.
“She’s a mother,” he emphasized regarding West’s position.
In her pursuit of custody and to recover financial losses stemming from this ongoing legal battle, which Wilson claims amounts to “tens of thousands of dollars,” West faces uncertain and challenging times ahead.
