Breaking Christian News

Attorney: Baby Boy at the Center of Surrogacy Case Has Had His First Heart Surgery

Kelli Keane : Aug 20, 2026
LiveAction News

This is a heartbreaking and difficult situation for several reasons—one, because surrogacy intentionally removed baby Gabriel/Rumi from the only person he had known from the moment he was conceived; two, because that same woman, who saved his life, has been forced to have zero contact with him; and three, because the biological parents who attempted to ensure the death of this child prior to his birth are now presented in the media as "loving parents"...

[LiveAction.org] In the latest update regarding the heart-wrenching story of surrogate McKenna West and baby Gabriel, CBS News reports that the baby boy has had the first in a series of necessary surgeries to treat his hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). (Image: Pixabay)

Key Takeaways:

The Details:

The baby boy's biological parents, Omar Ahmed and Nausheen Gilkar, who have named the baby Rumi, stated through attorney Lee Budner that this will be "the last update on Rumi's health that his family intends to share."

Budner added, "His condition remains critical and complex, and his family seeks privacy in caring for their son on his long road to recovery."

CBS News reported, "The procedure was performed Monday morning, Budner said, and 'Rumi is now recuperating under the loving care of his parents and his heroic team of doctors, nurses, and medical staff.'"

The news outlet also noted that more surgeries are needed for children with HLHS:

The second surgery is usually performed at 4 to 6 months, and the third between 18 months and 5 years old, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The heart condition is rare and complex, the Cleveland Clinic says, and can cause lifelong complications.

Rather than expressing gratefulness for her refusal to kill their preborn child upon their request, Budner told CBS Monday that West "continues to assert baseless claims for custody of Rumi, in violation of multiple courts orders out of both Alaska and California. We look forward to quickly defeating those claims as Rumi's parents continue to focus on his health and safety above all else."

The Backstory:

Surrogate McKenna West delivered the baby boy last Wednesday in a Texas hospital after fighting for his life and refusing to kill him in an abortion. (Screengrab image: via Live Action)

During a routine 20-week ultrasound scan, West learned that baby Gabriel/Rumi had a serious heart condition. Hypoplastic left heart syndrome is a serious but often treatable condition, yet even after it was learned that in Gabriel/Rumi's case, a positive outcome was expected, Ahmed and Gilkar reportedly continued to pressure West to abort—reportedly concerned about the baby's quality of life.

Live Action News reported:

In court documents obtained by Live Action News, West's doctor, Dr. William Laird, ??plained that he thinks HLHS is "likely an isolated cardiac anomaly" for baby Gabriel. He said Gabriel seems to be a "standard risk" patient, meaning there is a low risk of "operative mortality" (death) following the Norwood procedure.

In addition, the court document points out, "Baby Gabriel's chances upon receiving the Norwood procedure are good—very good. Yet Defendants still refuse to commit to life-saving care."

West fled from her home state of Alaska to Texas, where she traveled because she learned that "doctors at Dallas Children's have achieved a 100% success rate in recent years with the first of three surgeries" for HLHS, as Live Action News reported. These surgeries are "the Norwood procedure shortly after birth, the Glenn procedure at four to six months old, and the Fontan procedure around age two or three. Some patients will ultimately require a heart transplant, although if and when depends on the patient."

Once in the state, "Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed—and a judge granted—a petition instructing doctors to provide Gabriel with care at his birth, including at least the first of the three surgeries he would require. The petition also said that Gabriel could not be taken out of Texas."

Last week, after the baby boy was born, his parents released a stunning statement through Budner that called AG Paxton's actions (and McKenna West's as well) "political theater" (emphasis added):

"Our clients' son was born yesterday morning and he is now in their physical custody while he receives expert medical care at a tertiary care center. Thankfully, McKenna West's baseless attempt to interfere with his medical care has been soundly rejected by the courts.

Right now, our clients are continuing to place their baby's health and well-being first, following the advice of the baby's medical team, as they always have and just as any loving parent would.

As if the heartbreak of his condition were not enough, they are devastated to see their family tragedy transformed into political theater by the Texas Attorney General's office and McKenna West.

Our clients' 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 their beautiful newborn son."

The real "tragedy" would have occurred if baby Gabriel/Rumi would have been intentionally killed before birth, as his parents originally sought to ensure.

The Bottom Line:

This is a heartbreaking and difficult situation for several reasons—one, because surrogacy intentionally removed baby Gabriel/Rumi from the only person he had known from the moment he was conceived; two, because that same woman, who saved his life, has been forced to have zero contact with him; and three, because the biological parents who attempted to ensure the death of this child prior to his birth are now presented in the media as "loving parents" who only want to "place their baby's health and well-being first."

From the moment he was conceived, this precious baby has deserved to have everyone fighting to protect his life. Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here