A Florida fertility clinicaccused earlier this year of making a mistake that led to a couple giving birth to a baby not biologically related to themis closing its doors, according to an announcement on its website.
The Fertility Center of Orlando was sued by the couple, Tiffany Score and Steven Mills, after Score was implanted with an embryo after undergoing in vitro fertilization treatment at the clinic in March 2025 and gave birth that December. The baby she gave birth to appeared to be a different race than Score and Mills, who are both White, and testing showed she had "no genetic relationship" to either parent, reported theUSA TODAY Network in Florida.
The couple said in the lawsuit that they developed an emotional bond with the baby, but believe she should be "united with her genetic parents," and worried that another woman could be carrying their biological child. The couple said in a post on social media that the mix up led to a "healthy baby girl whom we love more than words can express," the USA TODAY Network in Florida reported.
Previously:Florida mom sues IVF clinic for giving birth to another couple's baby
The clinic, which is operated by IVF Life, said in a statement on its website that after "thoughtful consideration," it will be closing its operations. The statement gave patients a recommendation for where to seek future fertility care, and said they "will continue to see many of the same trusted and familiar faces who have been part of your care team."
The clinic didn't say when it would close or give a reason for closing, but said patients have until April 15 to arrange transfer of "cryopreserved specimens." It did not immediately respond to an inquiry from USA TODAY on April 3.
The center previously said in a statement obtained by the USA TODAY Network that it was cooperating with an investigation to determine "the source of an error that resulted in the birth of a child who is not genetically related" to the couple.
Advertisement
"Our priority remains transparency and the well-being of the patient and child involved. We will continue to assist in any way that we can regardless of the outcome of the investigation."
More:Judge in Florida embryo mixup case calls latest development a 'curveball'
An attorney for Score and Mills said in a court hearing on March 30 that the couple found out IVF Life was selling the clinic when it sent letters to all its patients, the USA TODAY Network in Floridareported. The judge on the case, Margaret Schreiber, called the news of the sale "a bit of a curveball" and wanted to know if the new owners will assume liability for the cost of testing being done to determine the biological parents of the baby born from the embryo mix up. Robert Terenzio, an attorney representing IVF Life, said he assumed responsibility would remain with IVF Life and the doctor who runs it, Milton McNichol.
Terenzio did not immediately respond to an inquiry from USA TODAY on April 3.
Attorneys have said that testing to determine who the baby's biological parents are is underway, the Network reported.
Contributing: Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Florida fertility clinic closing after couple sued over embryo mix-up