Last updated: August 18, 2026. This page reflects publicly reported facts and public court filings. Allegations in pending lawsuits are just that — allegations — until proven in court.
What Happened at the Fertility Center of Orlando
In one of the most widely reported fertility clinic errors in recent memory, the Fertility Center of Orlando (Longwood, Florida) implanted the wrong embryo into a patient during an IVF procedure. In December 2025, Tiffany Score gave birth to a baby girl, Shea, who — as later genetic testing confirmed — was not genetically related to her or her partner, Steven Mills. DNA testing showed the child was of 100% South Asian descent, while both intended parents are Caucasian.
The mix-up meant two families’ lives were upended at once: the birth parents, who delivered and are raising a child who is not genetically theirs, and the genetic parents, whose embryo was transferred to a stranger without their knowledge or consent.
Where the Case Stands
- The clinic has closed. The Fertility Center of Orlando permanently ceased operations in early 2026 amid mounting legal and financial problems.
- Custody has been resolved. In June 2026, the families reached a custody agreement under which the birth parents remain Shea’s permanent custodial parents, with the genetic parents remaining a part of her life.
- Malpractice litigation is ongoing. The underlying medical malpractice claims against the clinic remain active, and additional lawsuits have been filed — including a March 2026 complaint alleging the clinic effectively used a patient as a surrogate without her consent.
- Missing embryos are still being investigated. Attorneys continue to investigate the location and genetic identity of embryos that were stored at the now-shuttered clinic.
Fertility Law Group’s Role
Fertility Law Group founding partner Rob Marcereau represents Shea’s genetic parents. As he told reporters, his clients “intend to remain a part of this child’s life, while recognizing the impossible situation that both families have been placed in, through no fault of their own.” The decision not to contest custody was, in his words, a heartbreaking one made in the best interest of the child.
This case sits at the intersection of medical malpractice, family law, and children’s rights — precisely why our team includes a dedicated children’s rights attorney. A wrong embryo transfer is never just a lab error: it raises questions of parentage, custody, privacy, and lifelong family relationships that most law firms have never handled.
If You Were a Patient of the Fertility Center of Orlando
Because the clinic has closed, former patients face urgent practical questions. If you stored embryos, eggs, or sperm there, or underwent IVF cycles at the clinic, consider taking these steps now:
- Request your complete medical and laboratory records, including embryology records, chain-of-custody logs, and storage records. Records from closed clinics can become harder to obtain over time.
- Confirm in writing where your embryos or gametes are now stored and who has custody of them.
- Consider genetic confirmation if you have any reason to doubt an embryo transfer performed there.
- Do not sign releases or accept settlement offers before understanding the full scope of your rights. Statutes of limitations apply, but so do discovery rules that may extend your time to file.
- Speak with an attorney experienced in fertility malpractice. These cases involve medical, contractual, and family law issues that general practitioners rarely encounter.
Answers to Common Questions
Can the genetic parents of a child born from an embryo mix-up get custody? There is very little settled law. Courts weigh the best interests of the child heavily, and outcomes depend on the state and the facts. In the Orlando case, the families resolved custody by agreement rather than through a contested trial.
Do both families have claims against the clinic? Potentially, yes. Birth parents and genetic parents may each have distinct claims — negligence, breach of contract, emotional distress, and others — arising from the same error.
What if my embryos were stored at a clinic that closed? You retain rights in your embryos. Locating them, confirming their identity, and securing their transfer to a reputable facility should be done promptly and documented carefully.
Talk to the Firm That Is Actually Litigating These Cases
Fertility Law Group focuses exclusively on fertility malpractice. Our attorneys have recovered more than $200 million for clients and are counsel in several of the nation’s most significant fertility cases — including this one. If your family was affected by the Fertility Center of Orlando or a similar error anywhere in the country, contact us for a free, strictly confidential consultation.
Public sources: NBC News, FOX 35 Orlando, NBC News (custody decision).