The biological parents of a baby delivered by surrogate McKenna West have asked a judge to end their legal dispute, accusing her of pursuing custody while profiting from media attention.
Nausheen Gilkar and Omar Ahmed, a California couple who hired West to carry their child, claim she has continued with her court action despite allegedly promising to abandon it.
The couple say West is still seeking custody of their son, whom they have named Rumi, even after her efforts were rejected by courts in several states.
The dispute began after Gilkar and Ahmed learned their baby would be born with a birth defect. They wanted the pregnancy terminated, according to the couple’s claims, but West travelled to Texas and gave birth without their consent.
Rumi is now with his biological parents and receiving care in California. Gilkar and Ahmed claim West has not seen the child since giving birth.
They also allege that West entered agreements with special interest groups to obtain money and legal representation, and began a media campaign to solicit funds.
The couple is asking the court to dismiss the lawsuit, saying this would bring finality and prevent the dispute from continuing for years.
