A Florida couple has made headlines after discovering that their newborn daughter was not genetically related to either of them due to an alleged IVF embryo mix-up. Tiffany Score and Steven Mills used the Fertility Center of Orlando to conceive a child through IVF after trying to start a family. Their daughter, Shea, was born in December 2025, but the couple became concerned after noticing that she did not appear to share their white ancestry.
Genetic testing later confirmed that Shea was not biologically related to either Score or Mills, revealing that the embryo transferred during the IVF process was not theirs. The couple filed a lawsuit against the Florida clinic, seeking answers about what happened and asking for information about their embryos. According to court documents, the couple had three embryos stored at the clinic — one resulted in a miscarriage, another was moved to a different facility, while the status of the third remained unclear.
The racial difference between the parents and the baby was what brought attention to the alleged mistake, according to the couple's attorney. In a January letter to the Fertility Center of Orlando, the couple's attorney argued that without the racial disparity, the fact and results of the error might be concealed for years or left undiscovered indefinitely. The couple said that despite discovering Shea was not genetically theirs, they had already developed a strong emotional bond with her.
In a statement, Mills and Score said they would love and be Shea's parents forever. The couple later reached a custody agreement with Shea's biological parents, who were identified in court filings as Patient 004. The agreement allows Score and Mills to retain permanent custody of Shea, while details of the arrangement remain private. The two families also agreed to build a relationship based on friendship and trust.
The Fertility Center of Orlando shut down operations on May 20, 2026, following the controversy. The clinic had also faced separate legal issues unrelated to the embryo mix-up. The case has highlighted concerns around embryo identification procedures in fertility clinics and the complicated legal and emotional questions that can arise when biological parenthood differs from the family that carries and raises a child.
The incident has raised questions about the safety and security of IVF procedures, particularly with regards to embryo identification and tracking. Experts say that while IVF mix-ups are rare, they can have serious emotional and psychological consequences for the families involved. The case has also sparked a wider conversation about the ethics of IVF and the need for stricter regulations and guidelines.
The couple's experience has brought attention to the complexities of modern reproductive technology and the need for greater transparency and accountability in fertility clinics. As the debate continues, Score and Mills are focused on raising their daughter, Shea, and building a life together as a family. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of careful consideration and planning in IVF procedures.
Key points
- Florida couple discovers IVF clinic implanted wrong embryo, leading to custody agreement with biological parents.
- The case highlights concerns around embryo identification procedures in fertility clinics.
- The incident raises questions about the safety and security of IVF procedures.
