SOUTHLAKE, Texas — The journey to having kids was not a simple one for Ashley and Josh Conn.
The couple from Southlake struggled through years of fertility treatments before deciding to grow their family with a trusted surrogate. Now they're worried the money they set aside for that may be gone.
"Everything was smooth up through last week," Josh Conn said.
They used Houston-based company Surrogacy Escrow Account Management -- SEAM -- to set up an account to pay their surrogate and her medical bills. A common practice, they explained, and a company that came recommended.
On Friday, their 21-week pregnant surrogate told them she didn't get their June payment from the account. Then they received an email from the owner of SEAM saying "Due to legal action, I regret to inform you that all operations have been placed on hold."
They can't access the $26,000 in the account.
"It’s already an emotional journey not being able to carry your own child," Ashley Conn said. "Just to have another added layer of emotion and frustration."
For pregnant surrogates, the uncertainty is compounded. "I think it's gone," said Jeni Rasco, who is 32-weeks pregnant.
The couple for whom she is carrying had more than $50,000 in their SEAM account. "It's just not fair," she said. "Some of it was for me and my family -- and some of it was hospital bills with delivery coming up."
She -- and the Conns -- have tried to get answers from SEAM. An automated message for the phone number listed calls the issue a "delay" and apologizes for the inconvenience. They haven't heard back.
The company also did not respond to WFAA's email or call requesting comment.
Court records show Harris County sued SEAM in 2022 for failure to pay property tax -- a default judgement ordered its properties sold at action.
"It’s so hard to take in that one person could potentially ruin so many family’s futures and happiness and all those things that they’ve been holding out for," Rasco said.
She said she has a good relationship with couple for whom she is carrying -- and is able to join her husband's insurance plan to carry through the remainder of her pregnancy.
The Conns hope some of their money can be recovered -- and they've been in touch with their surrogate too, most recently at a Thursday doctor's appointment where they got confirmation their baby is healthy.
"We’re fortunate and blessed," Josh Conn said. As they confront what they fear is a betrayal, they said they take solace that a bundle of joy is still headed their way.
"It's not fair," Ashley Conn said. "But we're going to be okay."