A Florida couple is suing a fertility clinic after discovering they were implanted with the wrong embryo, leading to the birth of a daughter who is not genetically related to them. Tiffany Score and Steven Mills have filed a lawsuit against IVF Life Inc, operating as the Fertility Center of Orlando, and its lead physician, Dr Milton McNichol.
The couple, who are both Caucasian, noticed shortly after the birth of their daughter Shea on 11 December that she appeared to be of a different race. Genetic testing confirmed that the child had no genetic relationship to either parent. The lawsuit, initially filed under pseudonyms, states that three viable embryos were created using Score's eggs and Mills's sperm, and an embryo was implanted in April 2025.
In a Facebook post on 29 January, Score explained the situation and appealed for information about Shea's biological parents. 'While we are profoundly grateful to have Shea in our lives and love her immeasurably, we also recognise that we have a moral obligation to find her genetic parents,' she wrote. The couple said they have been 'living like prisoners in our own home' and are seeking to locate the biological family and their own genetic embryos.
The Fertility Center of Orlando acknowledged the situation in a now-deleted statement, saying they are 'actively cooperating with an investigation' and prioritising transparency and the well-being of the patient and child. A spokesperson for the couple's legal team said their primary objective is to identify the genetic parents and locate the missing embryos, adding that the clinic has not cooperated fully.
Score's sister, Alexa, launched a GoFundMe page to cover medical expenses and support efforts to find Shea's biological family. The couple is seeking a monetary remedy from the clinic, though the amount is unspecified.
