Surrogate mother McKenna West, who fled to Texas in order to save the life of the preborn child she was carrying, has given birth. The newborn known as Baby Gabriel is now receiving the life-saving care for hypoplastic left heart syndrome ("HLHS"), a serious congenital heart defect which is almost always fatal without immediate treatment.
This is what West wanted, and thanks to the quick action of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, West's desire came to fruition.
UPDATE: Baby Gabriel is here!
— Lila Rose (@LilaGraceRose) August 12, 2026
McKenna gave birth after courageously refusing the contracting parents’ demand that she abort him because of his serious but treatable heart condition.
Heartbreakingly, a temporary restraining order issued yesterday prevented McKenna from seeing or… pic.twitter.com/y41ZvMN3Au
UPDATE: Baby Gabriel is here!
McKenna gave birth after courageously refusing the contracting parents’ demand that she abort him because of his serious but treatable heart condition.
Heartbreakingly, a temporary restraining order issued yesterday prevented McKenna from seeing or holding the baby she carried and fought to protect.
But Gabriel is doing well, and because of a separate court order, he is now on the path to receiving the life-saving medical care he needs.
Please pray for this precious baby boy and for McKenna.
On Tuesday, RedState reported that after an in-utero discovery found that Baby Gabriel had a severe heart defect, the intended parents allegedly wanted West to abort the child. West refused and fled to Texas in order to save the baby's life as well as get him the treatment needed to correct the serious heart condition; a treatment which Dallas County hospitals UT Southwestern Medical Center and the Children's Medical Center of Dallas are experts at performing.
Paxton, who is the GOP Senate nominee, intervened on behalf of the surrogate mother, petitioning the court to allow Baby Gabriel to be born in Texas and requiring UT Southwestern Medical Center and the Children's Medical Center of Dallas to begin the first of three corrective procedures which will further the child's life. The courts answered quickly: within 24 hours, Paxton secured an emergency court order which ensured Baby Gabriel would be safe and receive treatment when needed.
Sadly, as Live Action founder and president Lila Rose stated above, surrogate mother McKenna West has been placed under a temporary restraining order where she is not allowed to see or touch Baby Gabriel.
I secured an emergency court order ensuring that baby Gabriel receives life-saving care in Texas. pic.twitter.com/Yv84BFoFi7
— Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) August 12, 2026
Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) is representing West in what will be an ongoing legal battle with the intended parents. West's desire is to keep the child, and her family and friends have set up a crowdfunding account in order to help with legal expenses.
ADF Senior Counsel Erik Baptist spoke out today regarding the “Baby Gabriel” case in Texas:
— Alliance Defending Freedom (@ADFLegal) August 12, 2026
“It’s an honor and privilege to represent McKenna in her courageous stand for Baby Gabriel’s life. Every life matters. No woman should be forced to kill the baby she is carrying, and… pic.twitter.com/zmsaytD2RA
ADF Senior Counsel Erik Baptist spoke out today regarding the “Baby Gabriel” case in Texas:
“It’s an honor and privilege to represent McKenna in her courageous stand for Baby Gabriel’s life. Every life matters. No woman should be forced to kill the baby she is carrying, and every child deserves a chance at life.
“We are thrilled that the court’s order calls for Baby Gabriel to receive the surgery necessary to save his life. And we are so grateful for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s heroic, invaluable efforts to preserve this precious child’s life.”
In the case, ADF attorneys represent McKenna West, an Alaska nurse and surrogate mother, who fought to give the baby she carried, known as Baby Gabriel, the chance at the life he deserves since the commissioning couple has refused to commit to life-saving treatment.
Editor’s Note: The 2026 Midterms will determine the fate of President Trump’s America First agenda. Republicans must maintain control of both chambers of Congress.
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