Florida IVF Nightmare: Couple Discovers Baby Not Biologically Theirs After Embryo Mix-Up
A routine IVF journey has transformed into a profound legal and emotional crisis for a Florida couple who have made the shocking discovery that the baby they carried and welcomed into the world is not biologically theirs. Tiffany Score and Steven Mills are now navigating a complex situation, striving to ensure the child is reunited with her genetic parents while confronting their own devastating loss.
The Heartbreaking Discovery
Tiffany Score and Steven Mills endured several challenging rounds of IVF before finally achieving a successful embryo transfer last year. Their hopes culminated in January with the birth of a baby girl. However, their joy was almost immediately shattered by a disturbing realization.
Both Tiffany and Steven are white, but their newborn daughter appeared to be non-white. This visible discrepancy prompted them to seek genetic testing, which tragically confirmed their deepest fears: the infant was not biologically related to either of them.
Legal Action and Moral Dilemma
The couple has filed a significant lawsuit against IVF Life, which operates under the name The Fertility Center of Orlando. The lawsuit alleges a catastrophic embryo mix-up at the clinic. In a poignant statement shared with PEOPLE magazine, the couple expressed their complex emotions.
"We love our little girl, and if possible, we would hope to be able to continue to raise her ourselves with confidence that she won't be taken away from us," they said. "At the same time we are aware that we have a moral obligation to find and notify her biological parents as it is in her best interest that her genetic parents are provided the option to raise her as their own."
Multiple Families Come Forward in Search for Genetic Parents
In a recent development reported by PEOPLE, the couple's attorney, Jack Scarola, revealed that several families have now come forward, believing they might be genetically related to the baby, whom Tiffany and Steven have lovingly named Shea.
"There are multiple families who believe that they might be genetically related to Shea," Scarola told the outlet. He emphasized that despite having formed a deep bond with the child, the couple feels a compelling duty to identify her biological parents. According to Scarola, they firmly believe they have "a moral obligation to find the genetic parents of Shea."
One couple is currently awaiting results after undergoing genetic testing. Meanwhile, a court has issued a directive ordering the clinic to provide free genetic testing to all patients who underwent embryo transfers in April 2025, which is the specific month when Tiffany's transfer occurred.
Additionally, a second group comprising 20 patients who underwent egg retrieval procedures in March 2020, around the same time as Tiffany, will also undergo comprehensive genetic testing as part of the expanding investigation.
Clinic's Response and Ongoing Investigation
In an earlier official statement, IVF Life, operating as The Fertility Center of Orlando, stated that it was "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 investigation into this grave medical error remains actively ongoing, with many questions still unanswered.
The Haunting Question of Missing Embryos
This distressing case has raised further alarming concerns for Tiffany and Steven regarding the fate of their own biological embryos. Attorney Jack Scarola confirmed that the couple created a total of three embryos: two female and one male.
"Their male embryo may still be out there. They are told there is one embryo in storage, but it has not been confirmed yet if it's really theirs," he disclosed, highlighting the ongoing uncertainty and emotional turmoil.
Simultaneously, the couple is attempting to retrieve eggs that Tiffany froze at a separate clinic seven years ago, seeking alternative paths to parenthood. A relative has established a GoFundMe campaign to help them raise essential funds for this costly and emotionally draining process, as they navigate this unimaginable situation.
