A Florida couple is suing a fertility clinic after discovering the wrong embryo was implanted, resulting in a daughter with no genetic relation to either parent. Tiffany Score and Steven Mills, who are white, became suspicious after their daughter Shea was born on December 11 appearing to be of a different race. Genetic testing confirmed the baby had “no genetic relationship to either of the Plaintiffs,” according to a lawsuit filed in Palm Beach County Circuit Court. The couple underwent in vitro fertilization at IVF Life, Inc. D/B/A Fertility Center of Orlando, where three viable embryos were created using their sperm and eggs. In March 2025, Score was implanted with an embryo that resulted in Shea’s birth.
In a social media post, Score acknowledged the “medical error” and expressed both gratitude for their daughter and recognition of their “moral obligation to find her genetic parents.” She wrote: “While we are profoundly grateful to have Shea in our lives and love her immeasurably, we also recognize that we have a moral obligation to find her genetic parents.” The couple publicly requested help locating Shea’s biological family and are also searching for their own missing embryos, “which may or may not still exist.”
Financial and Emotional Impact
Score’s sister established a GoFundMe account to help cover “extensive medical expenses, including prior IVF costs, hospital bills, and mental health therapies,” as well as efforts to locate the biological family and find their genetic embryos. The couple is also attempting to retrieve Score’s eggs that were frozen at a different clinic seven years ago—a process that could cost thousands. The Fertility Center of Orlando acknowledged the situation in a now-deleted website statement, saying: “We are actively cooperating with an investigation to support one of our patients in determining the source of an error that resulted in the birth of a child who is not genetically related to them.” The clinic stated that “multiple entities are involved in this process, and all parties are working diligently to help identify when and where the error may have occurred.”
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/2026/02/02/florida-couple-embryo-mix-up-ivf-orlando-fertility-clinic/88468512007/