A couple who discovered their baby born through IVF was not genetically related to them have announced that they have now identified their daughter's biological parents. Tiffany Score and Steven Mills, from Florida in the US, described the development as a turning point in what they called a 'heartbreaking journey'.
The couple confirmed in a statement on April 22 that genetic testing had provided long-awaited answers. 'The results of testing delivered to us today confirm that our baby's genetic parents have been identified,' they said. They added that they would keep the couple's identities confidential and 'fully intend to cooperate in respecting their privacy'.
'This ends one chapter… but it raises new issues that will have to be resolved,' they said. 'Questions about the disposition of our own embryos are still unanswered and are even more unlikely to ever be answered.' Their daughter, Shea, is now four months old.
After welcoming a baby girl in 2025, Tiffany Score and Steven Mills became concerned when the child did not genetically resemble either parent. 'Only one thing is as absolutely certain today as it was on the day our daughter was born - we will love and will be this child's parents forever,' they added, according to People reports.
The couple filed a lawsuit against their IVF clinic last year, months before their identities became public. According to legal documents, Ms Score and Mr Mills underwent treatment at the Fertility Centre of Orlando, where three viable embryos were created and stored. In April, Ms Score was implanted with what she believed was one of those embryos - something the couple say they never questioned during the pregnancy.
But when Shea was born on December 11, 2025, they realised something was wrong. Both parents are white and they say the baby did not resemble either of them, prompting genetic testing which confirmed she was not biologically theirs. While they say they love their daughter 'more than words can express,' they also felt a 'moral obligation' to find her genetic parents. They have also been haunted by the possibility that one of their own embryos could have been implanted into another family.
Their lawyer said the couple 'have fallen in love with this child' but remain deeply concerned about unresolved questions. 'Remaining questions about the fate of Tiffany and Steven's unaccounted-for embryos are still pending,' he said, adding that the current legal proceedings will continue. He also indicated the focus may now turn to compensation for 'expenses and the severe emotional trauma that they endured and will continue to experience'.
Earlier this month, the clinic announced it was closing, with another facility set to open at the same location. Cases like this are considered extremely rare. A 2018 US study estimated that major IVF errors occur roughly once in every 2,000 cycles, although less serious mistakes are more common. Modern fertility clinics use barcode tracking, strict lab protocols and double-witnessing systems designed to prevent such incidents. However, despite advances in technology, IVF procedures still rely on human handling at every stage - leaving room for error.
How does IVF work?
IVF (in vitro fertilisation) is a fertility treatment to help people get pregnant. Eggs are fertilised with sperm in a laboratory and the embryo is placed in a recipient womb (uterus).
Why is IVF done?
IVF is a type of fertility treatment. It may be recommended if a person is having difficulty getting pregnant and other treatments have not worked. It is used for issues like blocked tubes, severe sperm issues, endometriosis, unexplained infertility, age-related decline and by same-sex couples or single individuals wanting to become parents.
How well it works
A person's chance of having a baby using IVF can depend on many factors such as: what's causing fertility problems, age, body mass index (BMI), and lifestyle factors, such as smoking or drinking alcohol.
Who can get IVF on the NHS
People may be able to get IVF on the NHS if they're aged 42 or under and eligible for treatment. Source: NHS
