Tiffany Score and Steven Mills say testing confirmed the genetic parents of their daughter born after an alleged IVF error, but questions about their embryos and legal issues continue
The family at the center of a widely reported fertility dispute has announced a significant development: testing has identified the genetic parents of the child born following an alleged IVF mix-up. Tiffany Score and Steven Mills, who underwent treatment at The Fertility Clinic of Orlando in Longwood, disclosed the news through their attorney after receiving the results on April 21, 2026.
The couple, who welcomed their daughter in December 2026, had previously learned that the baby known as Shea does not share their genetic profile. This revelation closes one investigative chapter while opening others related to privacy, legal responsibility and the status of the couple’s preserved embryos.
What the testing confirmed and what remains private
According to the statement issued by the couple via their lawyer, the results provided on April 21, 2026, confirm that the child’s genetic parents have been located. The Score-Mills statement emphasized that the identities of those genetic parents will remain confidential and that the couple intends to respect that privacy.
Despite this milestone, the family said the discovery raises further questions — notably the fate of their own embryos and whether those specimens were transferred to another patient. The couple has said they will continue to love and parent the child they raised, while also acknowledging a moral and legal obligation to ensure the genetic parents are informed.
Clinic response and operational changes
The Fertility Clinic of Orlando addressed the situation earlier in the year, saying in January 2026 that it was cooperating with an investigation to determine how an error could have occurred. In March 2026, the clinic announced it would close operations and encouraged patients to transition care to another provider. The closure notice included contact numbers and guidance for patients with stored specimens, reflecting the complexity of managing continuity of care after an alleged procedural error. Clinic leadership did not provide a specific public explanation for the shutdown beyond the cooperation statement, and outreach attempts from local media went unanswered.
Legal actions and preservation orders
Score and Mills filed a lawsuit seeking preservation of records and specimens to help determine responsibility and locate any embryos that match their genetics. Their attorneys requested that the clinic be compelled to maintain all files and evidence that might clarify whether embryos were mislabeled or misallocated. Those legal maneuvers were central to several court hearings and formed part of the strategy to identify the genetic parents and the disposition of the couple’s embryos. The lawsuit names the clinic and one physician involved in their care, highlighting both civil and regulatory pathways under review.
Family statements and future implications
In public comments, the couple stressed dual priorities: caring for the child they have raised since birth and ensuring the biological parents can make informed choices. They said their discovery resolves one urgent question but complicates others, particularly around whether their own embryos were transferred to someone else or remain unaccounted for. They reiterated, in language shared on April 21, 2026, that they will continue to be the child’s parents while also cooperating with measures to respect the genetic parents’ privacy. The family framed the moment as both an ending and the start of additional difficult decisions to resolve.
Ethical and privacy considerations
Beyond the immediate legal fight, the case raises broader issues about standards at fertility clinics and safeguards for patients who use assisted reproductive technologies. Medical ethicists note that an alleged error involving an embryo — defined here as the fertilized cell or cells intended for transfer or storage — triggers concerns about consent, chain-of-custody procedures and long-term counseling for all parties. Advocates for patients and clinicians alike say transparency, robust documentation and independent oversight are essential to prevent recurrence and to support families affected by such incidents.
Next steps for the parties involved
Moving forward, the couple has pledged to continue litigation and to cooperate with any inquiries that protect the child’s best interests and respect privacy agreements. As court proceedings advance and regulators review clinic practices, the outcome may influence policy at other centers offering in vitro fertilization and related services. For now, the immediate facts remain: the genetic parents have been identified as of April 21, 2026; the Fertility Clinic of Orlando closed in March 2026; and the couple who raised the child in December 2026 is pursuing answers about their embryos and legal remedies to ensure clarity and accountability.
