Florida Couple Sues Fertility Clinic Over IVF Mix-Up

Couple searches for baby's biological parents after discovering newborn is not genetically related to them

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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A Florida couple has filed an emergency lawsuit against a fertility clinic, alleging their newborn child is not genetically related to either of them after an in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure. The couple, identified as John and Jane Doe, is suing IVF Life, Inc. D/B/A Fertility Center of Orlando and Dr. Milton McNichol, M.D. They are examining two potential windows when the IVF mix-up could have occurred - the egg retrieval on March 26, 2020 and the embryo transfer on April 5, 2025. The couple is now searching for their biological child and the parents of the baby they gave birth to.

Why it matters

This case highlights the serious implications of IVF mix-ups, which can have devastating emotional and legal consequences for all parties involved. It raises concerns about oversight and accountability in the fertility industry, as well as the need for robust safeguards to prevent such errors from occurring.

The details

According to the complaint, the couple used their own egg and sperm to create three viable embryos at the Fertility Center of Orlando. In March 2025, one of the embryos was implanted in Jane Doe, resulting in a successful full-term pregnancy. However, genetic testing confirmed that the baby girl, named Baby Doe, has "no genetic relationship to either of the Plaintiffs." The couple became suspicious when the baby displayed physical characteristics not matching their Caucasian background. The lawsuit states the couple's belief that their baby "should legally and morally be united with her genetic parents," and they fear another family may be raising their biological child.

  • On March 26, 2020, the couple's eggs were retrieved.
  • On April 5, 2025, Dr. Milton McNichol transferred the embryos.

The players

John and Jane Doe

A Florida couple who filed an emergency lawsuit against a fertility clinic, alleging their newborn child is not genetically related to either of them.

IVF Life, Inc. D/B/A Fertility Center of Orlando

The fertility clinic being sued by the couple over the IVF mix-up.

Dr. Milton McNichol, M.D.

The doctor who performed the embryo transfer at the Fertility Center of Orlando.

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What they’re saying

“While we are beyond grateful to have her in our lives and love her immeasurably, we also recognize that we have a moral obligation to find her genetic parents. Our joy over her birth is further complicated by the devastating reality that her genetic parents — whom we do not yet know — or possibly another family entirely, may have received our genetic embryo. We are heartbroken, devastated, and confused.”

— John and Jane Doe (sister station WESH)

“Until yesterday , the clinic has been entirely uncooperative and refused to provide any verifiable information or a timeline as to when such information would be provided. Faced with the prospect of a court order at yesterday's hearing, the clinic has now promised cooperation, but that promise has not yet been fulfilled. We hope it will be.”

— John and Jane Doe (WESH)

What’s next

A judge has ordered the Fertility Center of Orlando to comply and send over the requested materials by Monday, Feb. 23. The couple is continuing to search for their biological child and the parents of the baby they gave birth to.

The takeaway

This case highlights the critical need for strict protocols, oversight, and transparency in the fertility industry to prevent devastating mix-ups that can upend the lives of all involved. It underscores the emotional toll on parents and the moral obligation to reunite children with their rightful genetic families.