Florida Couple Files Lawsuit After IVF Mix-Up Results in Birth of Genetically Unrelated Child
A Florida couple has launched a lawsuit against a Longwood fertility clinic following the birth of a child who is not genetically theirs, an error discovered only after the infant was delivered with physical features suggesting a different ethnic background from the intended parents.
Tiffany Score and Steven Mills, both white, underwent in vitro fertilisation (IVF) at the Fertility Centre of Orlando, operated by IVF Life LLC. The couple's suspicions were raised at birth when their daughter's appearance differed from their own. Subsequent genetic testing confirmed the child has no biological relation to either parent.
The lawsuit, filed in January, alleges the clinic mistakenly implanted another patient's embryo into Ms. Score. It states the couple made repeated, unsuccessful attempts to contact the clinic for answers before resorting to legal action.
In a statement to local media, Score and Mills expressed deep affection for the child. "We love our little girl and hope to raise her with the confidence she won't be taken from us," they said. "Yet, we feel a moral duty to find her biological parents, as it's in her best interest for them to have the option to raise her."
The legal filing reveals a further layer of anguish: the couple fears one of their three remaining frozen embryos may have been wrongly implanted into another patient, meaning their biological child could be elsewhere.
The suit demands the clinic provide a full accounting of the couple's remaining embryos and disclose information on other patients who stored embryos there during the relevant period. It also seeks to compel IVF Life to fund genetic testing for all children born from procedures at the clinic over the past five years.
Named in the suit are IVF Life LLC and Dr. Milton McNichol, the clinic's operator. Public records show Dr. McNichol was reprimanded and fined $5,000 by Florida's Board of Medicine in May 2024 following a 2023 inspection that uncovered multiple violations, including faulty equipment, missing medications, and failure to maintain proper staff registries.
"They have fallen in love with this child," the couple's attorney, Jack Scarola, told the Orlando Sentinel. "Their profound concern is that this is someone else's child, and someone could appear at any time to claim her."
A family spokesman indicated an independent investigation is ongoing. "Despite the clinic's lack of cooperation, there is hope we can introduce our daughter to her genetic parents and find our genetic child soon," the spokesman told the Daily Mail.
The Fertility Centre previously posted a statement online acknowledging it was "cooperating with an investigation to support a patient" regarding an error, but removed it after a court hearing. The Telegraph's request for comment was not returned.
Reactions & Analysis
Dr. Evelyn Reed, Bioethicist at University of Florida: "This case is a catastrophic failure of protocols. It exposes systemic vulnerabilities in embryo tracking that go beyond human error, demanding stricter regulatory oversight for all assisted reproduction facilities."
Mark Jenkins, Father of twins via IVF: "This is our worst nightmare. We place ultimate trust in these clinics. This story will haunt every family in the waiting room, questioning the very foundation of their journey to parenthood."
Sarah Chen, Family Law Attorney: "The legal ramifications are a minefield. It pits contractual intent against gestational and emotional bonds. Courts will have to weigh genetic lineage against the best interests of a child who knows only these parents."
David Miller, Commentator on parental rights forums: "It's unforgivable. This isn't a 'mix-up'—it's life-altering negligence. That clinic's prior violations show a pattern of disregard. The fine was a slap on the wrist; now innocent lives are shattered."