SAN ANTONIO — Khaleesi Marie Cortez was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a condition where the left side of the heart is severely underdeveloped. Since birth, she’s undergone five intensive heart surgeries.

“She’s been so strong. She’s a remarkable little girl — she’s shown me what strength really looks like,” said her mother, Salina Morales.

Doctors first diagnosed Khaleesi’s condition while Morales was still pregnant. The little girl’s heart is missing its left side, and she also has an atrial septal defect — a hole between the heart’s upper chambers.

After years of hospital stays, procedures, and recoveries, Khaleesi’s body is now exhausted. She’s currently on life support at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston.

“She is on life support and that is what she’s honestly

See Full Page