A couple who discovered their daughter was not biologically related to them following an IVF mix-up have now located the child’s genetic parents. Tiffany Score and Steven Mills welcomed a baby girl in December last year through treatment at a now-closed fertility clinic in Orlando, Florida. However, a subsequent test revealed that the child, named Shea, was not biologically theirs.
Taking legal action against the clinic and fertility doctor Milton McNichol for negligence in January, Tiffany and Steven sought to find the biological parents of their daughter. Another couple who had also received treatment at the same clinic came forward after the mix-up was publicized, suspecting that their embryo might have been mistakenly transferred.
Both families underwent DNA testing, confirming this week that the other couple are indeed Shea’s genetic parents. Despite their deep emotional connection with Shea, Tiffany and Steven feel obligated, both legally and morally, to give the biological parents the opportunity to claim their child.
In the event that the second family, who have chosen to remain anonymous, decide not to pursue custody of the baby, Tiffany and Steven have declared their commitment to raising Shea themselves. They expressed their love for Shea and their determination to provide her with a stable upbringing.
A statement released by their legal representatives stated that while one chapter of their ordeal has concluded, new challenges lie ahead. The unresolved fate of their own embryos remains a pressing issue that may never be fully resolved.
The Fertility Center of Orlando recently announced its closure, citing legal and financial difficulties. The clinic had been cooperating with an investigation to address the error that led to the birth of a child unrelated genetically to the intended parents.
