A Florida couple have located their child's genetic parents through DNA testing after an IVF mix-up, yet unresolved legal and emotional issues about missing embryos continue
The story of Tiffany Score and Steven Mills, who live in Florida, has moved from confusion to a partial resolution. After the birth of their daughter, Shea, on December 11, 2026, the couple became alarmed when the infant did not resemble them.
Concerned, they arranged genetic testing, which ultimately showed the baby was not biologically theirs. The couple has said they are devoted to the child and will remain her parents, while simultaneously pursuing answers about how the error occurred and what happened to their own stored embryos.
In a statement issued on April 22, they announced that the child’s genetic parents had been located.
This development is described by the family as a turning point in a painful and complicated process. They confirmed they will keep the identified couple’s identity private and cooperate to protect their privacy.
At the same time, the family continues litigation against the clinic where treatment took place, seeking clarity and redress. Their case highlights the emotional complexity that follows a mistake in assisted reproduction and the tension between parental bonds formed by care and the biological facts revealed by modern DNA technology.
How the discrepancy came to light
The couple underwent assisted conception at an Orlando facility that handled their reproductive material. During the pregnancy they did not suspect problems, but after the baby’s birth on December 11, 2026, visible differences prompted them to request testing. The term in vitro fertilisation (IVF) refers to the process used in their treatment: eggs and sperm are combined in a lab, creating embryos that can be frozen or transferred. Genetic analysis confirmed the infant was not genetically related to Score and Mills, a discovery that shifted private joy into a public and legal matter as they sought to determine which embryos were used where and whether any of their own embryos had been transferred elsewhere.
Legal steps and unresolved questions
The couple filed suit in state court, formally initiating legal action to obtain information and remedy. According to filings, the complaint was submitted on Jan. 22, and names the clinic and its lead physician. Their attorneys say the lawsuit seeks answers about the disposition of the three viable embryos that had been created and stored for them, and requests measures such as free genetic testing for other patients who received embryo transfers during the relevant period. Lawyers have also indicated the couple may pursue compensation for out-of-pocket expenses and the severe emotional trauma they describe experiencing.
Identification of the genetic parents
On April 22 the family reported that genetic testing had produced a match and that the child’s biological parents were identified. The Score-Mills statement emphasized confidentiality and respect for the matched couple: the family intends to preserve their privacy. Their lawyers have declined to publicly name that couple but say the confirmation helps close one chapter of the ordeal. Still, the discovery raises further questions about record-keeping and the fate of the plaintiffs’ unaccounted-for embryos, questions the legal process will continue to address.
Why such errors can happen and industry safeguards
Cases like this are rare, but they expose vulnerabilities in a system that mixes sophisticated technology with hands-on human procedures. Clinics commonly use barcode tracking, strict lab protocols and double-witnessing to reduce mistakes. Nevertheless, every stage of the IVF workflow — from egg retrieval and fertilisation to storage and transfer — requires human action, which creates opportunities for error. Industry observers note that while serious incidents are estimated to occur infrequently, less severe lapses happen more often, prompting calls for continual improvement in quality control and transparency.
Emotional realities and next steps
Throughout, Score and Mills stress that love for the child they have raised is unwavering: they say they will remain her parents regardless of genetic facts. At the same time, they press the clinic and the legal system for information about whether any of their embryos were implanted into other patients. The clinic involved announced it was closing recently and a different facility planned to open at that location, complicating the trail of records. As the litigation continues, the case is likely to prompt renewed attention to patient safeguards and the way clinics communicate with families affected by rare but profound mistakes.
Understanding the terminology
For clarity: in vitro fertilisation (IVF) is the laboratory process that combines eggs and sperm to create an embryo outside the body. An embryo is a fertilised egg that can be transferred to a uterus or frozen for later use. Genetic testing refers to laboratory analysis that compares DNA to determine biological relatedness. These concepts underpin both the medical treatment and the legal questions in this case, which continues to unfold as families, clinics and courts work to resolve the consequences of an uncommon and painful error.
