A Florida couple who discovered after birth that their daughter was not genetically related to them following an alleged IVF embryo mix-up has reached a custody agreement with the child’s biological parents, according to court filings and statements from the family.
Tiffany Score and Steven Mills say they will continue raising the child, while also working with the biological parents to establish an ongoing cooperative relationship.
Background
The case centers on a daughter named Shea, born in December 2025. According to a complaint filed by Score and Mills, the couple used IVF services at a now-closed Florida fertility clinic, IVF Life, Inc., which previously operated as the Fertility Center of Orlando.
The couple had reportedly contracted the clinic to store three viable embryos for future use.
Discovery
According to court documents, the clinic implanted an embryo into Score in March 2025 that was later determined not to belong to the couple. After the child’s birth, genetic testing confirmed that Shea had no biological relation to Score and Mills.
The couple later described concerns about the child’s appearance at birth and pursued testing to confirm genetic parentage.
Custody Agreement
In a filing submitted in Orange County, Florida, on June 12, 2026, Score and Mills said they had reached a “mutually devised custody agreement” with the biological parents.
Under the agreement, Score and Mills will remain the child’s custodial parents and continue raising Shea. Both families also stated their intention to maintain communication and develop a cooperative relationship focused on the child’s well-being.
The biological parents’ identities have not been made public due to privacy considerations.
Legal Action
Score and Mills are currently pursuing a lawsuit against IVF Life, Inc. and its former medical director, Dr. Milton McNichol.
The lawsuit alleges that the clinic implanted the wrong embryo and later failed to properly disclose or correct the error. The couple has also called for broader disclosure to other patients who may have had embryos stored or used at the clinic during the same period.
Clinic Response
IVF Life, Inc., which has since closed, previously stated that it was cooperating with an investigation into how the error may have occurred. The clinic said multiple parties were involved in reviewing the case and that its priority was transparency and patient care.
An attorney for the clinic declined to comment further following the custody agreement.
Ongoing Concerns
Court filings also state that information obtained during the dispute may indicate broader laboratory or clinic-level errors, though those claims have not been independently verified.
The couple has since transferred one of their remaining embryos to another facility.
Next Steps
Legal proceedings against the clinic and associated medical personnel are ongoing. The custody agreement, however, establishes a shared understanding between both families regarding the child’s upbringing while the civil case continues.
FAQs
What happened in the IVF case?
A clinic allegedly implanted the wrong embryo, leading to a genetic mix-up.
Who will raise the child?
The couple who gave birth to the child will continue as custodial parents.
Have the biological parents been identified?
Yes, but their identities are being kept private.
Is the clinic still operating?
No, IVF Life, Inc. has closed.
Is the lawsuit still ongoing?
Yes, legal proceedings against the clinic continue.
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