- BIST10011,105-1.03%
- USD49.63+0.05%
- EUR55.70+0.05%
- GOLD4,027.90-0.80%
- INTEREST36.00%-1.00
- BITCOIN81,632+0.39%
- October 23, 202611°
- BIST10011,105-1.03%
- USD49.63+0.05%
- EUR55.70+0.05%
- GOLD4,027.90-0.80%
- INTEREST36.00%-1.00
- BITCOIN81,632+0.39%
- October 23, 202611°
Fertility center shaken by embryo mix-up lawsuit in Orlando closes
An IVF clinic in Florida has closed following a lawsuit over a wrong embryo transfer to a couple. The couple has been granted custody of the baby, who is not biologically theirs.
The Fertility Center of Orlando, serving the Orlando area, has announced its closure following a lawsuit filed by a couple who alleged they were transferred an embryo that did not belong to them.
In January, Tiffany Skor and Steven Mills filed a lawsuit against the clinic and its chief physician after learning in December 2025 that their newborn daughter had no biological connection to them.
Embryo mix-up
The white couple noticed that their newborn baby's physical features did not resemble theirs and ordered a genetic test. The results showed that the baby girl, named Shay, was 100% of South Asian origin.
During the legal process, the baby's biological parents were found. The parents, referred to as "Patient 004," have had their identities kept confidential.
Custody agreement
Skor and Mills reached an agreement with the baby's biological parents regarding custody. According to court documents, the couple will be the child's "permanent guardian." The biological parents will continue to be involved in the child's life.
The couple's attorney, Mara Hatfield, said, "My clients and the biological parents have agreed on a mutually acceptable custody arrangement."
Judge Margaret Schreiber approved this agreement during a hearing on Monday. Schreiber stated, "It is good that the parties reached an agreement while the child is still very young."
Skor and Mills stated that they have felt a very strong emotional bond with the baby since the pregnancy and will continue to love her as their parents always.
Second lawsuit: Surrogate mother allegations
A second lawsuit was filed against the clinic in March. A woman, identified under the pseudonym "Jane Doe," alleged that her psychological state was not evaluated and her medical records were not reviewed before the embryo transfer.
According to the lawsuit, the baby carried by the surrogate mother was born with thanatophoric dysplasia, a rare skeletal disorder that usually results in death shortly after birth, and died a few days later. However, the plaintiff stated she believes the baby is still alive.
The plaintiff's attorney, Andrew Reider, said, "The issue here is not the genetic condition of the embryo; it is that it was transferred to a woman who was not psychologically prepared for it."
Clinic closed
In a statement on the Fertility Center's website, it was stated that the decision to close was made following a "comprehensive evaluation." The exact closure date was not provided.
A letter sent to patients noted that another IVF chain will operate at the clinic's location and that patients can continue to consult with familiar specialists.
IVF industry and lack of regulation in the US
This incident has reignited debates about the regulation of IVF practices in the United States. Experts emphasize that the field is not sufficiently supervised in the country and that there is no national database to track errors.
Dov Fox, director of the Center for Health Law, Bioethics, and Policy at the University of San Diego, said, "Essentially, there is no agency that truly oversees IVF service providers." While approximately 100,000 babies are born each year thanks to this technology, cases like embryo mix-ups, though rare, can occur.
Stay Updated with Ally Daily
Subscribe to be informed about special news, developments and announcements. We will keep you informed.
By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy
