A Florida couple who discovered their baby was not genetically theirs after an IVF mix-up are now fighting to keep the child, despite identifying the biological parents. The case raises complex legal and emotional questions about parental rights and the consequences of errors in assisted reproductive technologies.
A Florida couple, Tiffany Score and Steven Mills, are in a complex legal and emotional battle after discovering their baby girl, Shea, born in December 2025, was not genetically theirs due to an IVF mix-up at the Fertility Clinic of Orlando.
Initial genetic testing confirmed the discrepancy, leading the couple to file a lawsuit against the clinic and Dr. Milton McNichol, seeking to identify Shea’s biological parents and account for their own missing embryos. The lawsuit detailed the IVF process, including egg retrieval, sperm fertilization, embryo freezing, and subsequent transfer attempts. The couple had undergone two embryo transfers, the first in February 2025 failing, and the second in April of the same year resulting in Shea’s birth.
Recently, genetic testing identified ‘Patient 004’ as Shea’s biological parents. While initially stating a ‘moral obligation’ to reunite Shea with her genetic family, Score and Mills have now expressed a strong desire to retain custody and continue raising Shea as their own. They emphasize the deep emotional bond they’ve formed with the child, describing her as the ‘light of their lives.
’ The couple acknowledges the unanswered questions surrounding their own embryos and the possibility of biological children elsewhere, but their primary focus remains on Shea’s well-being. They have publicly stated their unwavering love and commitment to being Shea’s parents ‘forever,’ despite the challenging circumstances. The couple is respecting the privacy of Shea’s biological parents, who have not been publicly identified. The situation is further complicated by the emotional toll on all parties involved.
Score has shared photos on Facebook depicting a happy family life with Shea, expressing gratitude for her health and beauty, and emphasizing that she is ‘ours in every way that matters. ’ Despite the ‘impossible and deeply frustrating’ situation, the couple reports feeling gratitude rather than anger. The legal outcome remains uncertain, with the central question being whether the couple will be granted permanent custody of Shea, given their established parental bond and the biological parents’ identification.
The case highlights the potential risks and ethical dilemmas associated with assisted reproductive technologies and the importance of stringent protocols to prevent such errors. The couple’s journey has garnered significant media attention, prompting discussions about parental rights, genetic connections, and the emotional complexities of IVF mix-ups. The case is ongoing, and the future of Shea and both families remains uncertain
IVF Fertility Clinic Baby Mix-Up Parental Rights Genetic Testing Florida
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