A couple who underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment and ended up with the wrong baby have successfully identified the biological parents of their daughter. Tiffany Score and Steven Mills, who received fertility treatment from a now-closed clinic in Orlando, Florida, gave birth to a girl in December last year. However, they soon realized that the child did not resemble them, prompting them to question the IVF process. Subsequent testing confirmed that the baby, named Shea, was not biologically related to either Tiffany or Steven.
In January, the couple filed a negligence lawsuit against the clinic and fertility doctor Milton McNichol, demanding assistance in locating the child’s biological parents. Following public disclosure of the mix-up, another couple treated at the same clinic came forward suspecting that their embryo might have been mistakenly implanted. Both families agreed to DNA testing, which recently confirmed that the other couple are Shea’s genetic parents.
Despite their deep emotional connection with Shea, Tiffany and Steven feel a legal and moral duty to allow the biological parents to decide the child’s future. If the second family opts not to take custody of the baby, Tiffany and Steven have pledged to continue raising her with confidence.
In a statement released through their legal representatives, the couple expressed relief at one chapter of their journey coming to an end but acknowledged new challenges ahead. They also highlighted unresolved issues regarding their own embryos and expressed doubts about receiving answers.
The Fertility Center of Orlando announced its closure earlier this month due to legal and financial difficulties. The clinic had been cooperating with an investigation to determine the cause of the error that led to the birth of a child not genetically related to the intended parents.
