Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) has intervened in a Dallas County parentage case involving an unborn child diagnosed with a serious but treatable heart condition, seeking to ensure the baby receives life-saving medical care after birth.
Paxton intervenes in parentage case.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has intervened in a Dallas County parentage case involving an unborn child, known as baby Gabriel, who is expected to be born imminently with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS).
HLHS is a serious congenital heart condition that typically requires three-stage surgeries, beginning with the Norwood procedure shortly after birth. According to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), Gabriel was diagnosed at approximately 20 weeks.
After learning of the diagnosis, the intended parents allegedly demanded that the surrogate mother undergo an abortion. The surrogate reportedly refused and traveled to Texas, where she sought protection and access to doctors experienced in treating HLHS.
The intended parents have reportedly not agreed to consent to the life-saving surgery Gabriel may need after birth and may attempt to transport the child out of Texas to prevent treatment.
Paxton has asked the Dallas County district court to issue orders directing the baby's care after birth, preventing the child from being removed from Texas, and scheduling an expedited hearing if treatment is refused.
AG Ken Paxton: "Baby Gabriel deserves a chance at life, and I will not allow anyone to unlawfully deny him medically necessary care. My office will use every tool available to protect innocent lives and ensure that every child receives the care required under Texas law."
Hospitals notified of legal obligations.
The OAG has also notified UT Southwestern Medical Center and Children's Medical Center of Dallas about what Paxton's office says are their legal obligations to provide medically necessary, life-saving care to Gabriel.
According to Paxton's office, physicians have an independent legal duty to provide emergency life-sustaining treatment regardless of how the parentage dispute is ultimately resolved.
The OAG said it will continue monitoring the case and pursue available legal remedies to ensure Gabriel receives the treatment required under Texas law.
