WASHINGTON (TNND) \u2014 Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is seeking protection from a court for a surrogate and an unborn baby with a heart defect to ensure the child receives life-saving medical treatment after birth, despite the intended parents’ objection.<\/p>\n
According to a letter<\/a> Paxton\u2019s office sent to two hospitals in Dallas on Monday, the unborn baby was diagnosed in utero with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, which is a congenital condition where the left side of the heart is severely underdeveloped and unable to properly pump blood throughout the body, The Hill reported<\/a>.<\/p>\n The intended parents of the unborn child, who Paxton\u2019s office referred to as \u201cbaby Gabriel,\u201d live in California and have demanded the surrogate terminate the pregnancy, according to Paxton. The surrogate refused to get an abortion and traveled to Texas to seek protection and access to doctors with experience treating the condition.<\/p>\n “Baby Gabriel deserves a chance at life, and I will not allow anyone to unlawfully deny him medically necessary care,” the Republican attorney general said in a statement posted on Instagram. “My office will use every tool available to protect innocent lives and ensure that every child receives the care required under Texas law.”<\/p>\n Abortion is illegal in Texas except in cases where the life or health of the patient is at risk.<\/p>\n