Thai surrogate vows to stand by sick baby boy

The Thai surrogate mother of a baby born with Down’s syndrome has promised to “never abandon” him.
Pattaramon Chanbua is now taking care of seven-month-old Gammy, who also has a heart defect and a lung infection, after his Australian parents reportedly took only his healthy twin sister.
The 21-year-old has vowed to raise the little boy, saying: “I am glad that in this unlucky situation there is a blessing that we are together.
“I never thought of having an abortion, I never thought to abandon him.
“I love him as my own baby … he is my baby. I love him very much.”
She added: “I’ve never felt angry at them or hated them [the parents]. I’m always willing to forgive them.
“I want to see that they love the baby girl as much as my family loves Gammy. I want her to be well taken care of.”
According to reports, the unnamed Australian couple who hired Ms Chanbua as a surrogate rejected the ill baby boy and returned to their home taking only the girl.
Ms Chanbua claims the parents wanted her to have an abortion once medical tests revealed Gammy had Down’s syndrome, but she refused because of her beliefs as a Buddhist.
But the parents allege they were not told their healthy daughter had a twin brother. The father told ABC they had “a lot of trouble” with the surrogacy agency and that the process had “taken every cent we have”.
On Monday, Australian Immigration Minister Scott Morrison described Ms Chanbua as a “saint” and an “absolute hero”.
He said: “It is terrible, just absolutely horrible and heartbreaking.
“Sure, there are lots of Australians who are desperate to be parents, but that can never I think sanction what we have just seen here.”
He added that the law surrounding the case is “very, very murky”. His office said in a statement that Gammy “may be eligible for Australian citizenship”. Australian citizens are entitled to free health care in the country.
He said: “We are taking a close look at what can be done here, but I wouldn’t want to raise any false hopes or expectations.
“We are dealing with something that has happened in another country’s jurisdiction.”
Commercial surrogacy – where a woman is paid to carry a child – is not allowed in Australia, but couples can use an “altruistic” surrogate who only receives medical and other reasonable expenses.