Couple in IVF embryo mix-up make heartbreaking admission after daughter’s biological parents identified months later
A couple who had been through IVF only to find out their daughter wasn't their biological child say they have tracked down her parents.
Tiffany Score and Steven Mills are suing a Florida IVF clinic they allege is responsible for the mix-up, and have shared their feelings after managing to find out who their daughter's parents are.
The lawsuit, which was filed in Palm Beach County Circuit Court on 9 January, was raised against IVF Life Inc, which operates as the Fertility Center of Orlando.
Score and Mills produced and stored three viable embryos. The couple alleges that Score was then implanted with an embryo they thought was theirs.
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They said they never thought to question and check that the embryo their own.
After a successful pregnancy, they welcomed a little girl, Shea Score Mills, in December 2025, and the couple, who are both white, soon saw that the baby 'displayed the physical appearance of a racially non-Caucasian child', the lawsuit states.
According to PEOPLE, the latest statement from Score and Mills, which was shared via their attorney, Jack Scarola, reads: "The results of testing delivered to us today confirm that our baby's genetic parents have been identified."
However, they added that they would be keeping the identity of their daughter's biological parents 'confidential'.
The couple said that they 'fully intend to cooperate in respecting their privacy' after the attention their case has received.
They went on to add: "This ends one chapter in our heartbreaking journey, but it raises new issues that will have to be resolved. In addition, questions about the disposition of our own embryos are still unanswered and are even more unlikely to ever be answered."
"Only one thing is as absolutely certain today as it was on the day our daughter was born —we will love and will be this child's parents forever," they said of their four-month-old baby.
Scarola said there are 'remaining questions about the fate of Tiffany and Steven's unaccounted for embryos... are still pending'.
"The current legal proceeding will remain open to address those matters, however, we expect that we will now also begin to focus on the need for our clients to be compensated for the expenses they have incurred and the severe emotional trauma that they endured and will continue to experience," he added.
The couple stressed that they love their daughter 'more than words can express,' but felt they had 'a moral obligation to find her genetic parents'.
They also shared their fears that their daughter could be removed from them and returned to her biological parents.
However, the family's lawyer says the biological parents haven't requested this.
The couple said the lawsuit was filed so they can 'begin living more freely and to finally celebrate the one beautiful thing that has come from all of this: our daughter. Shea is completely innocent and so undeserving of any of this'.
IVF Life previously 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 Florida clinic recently announced that it would be shutting down, with a statement on its website saying: "After thoughtful consideration, Fertility Center of Orlando will be closing its operations.
"Patients are welcomed and encouraged to transition their care to CNY Fertility.
"CNY Fertility is committed to supporting your continuity of care. You will continue to see many of the same trusted and familiar faces who have been part of your care team, along with additional team members committed to supporting you on your journey."
Tyla has reached out to the Fertility Center of Orlando for comment.
Jen Thomas