- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Longwood Today
By the People, for the People
Florida IVF Clinic Shutters After Embryo Mix-Up
Fertility Center of Orlando to close after lawsuit over couple's child not being biologically related to them
Apr. 3, 2026 at 6:33pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
An IVF clinic's error in embryo handling has shattered the dreams of one Florida couple, exposing the need for greater oversight in assisted reproductive technologies.Longwood TodayA Florida-based IVF clinic, Fertility Center of Orlando, announced it will be closing its operations after being sued by a couple who claimed the baby they welcomed in 2025 is not genetically related to them. The clinic was also served with a lawsuit in March by a surrogate who alleged she gave birth to a baby with a genetic disorder.
Why it matters
This case highlights ongoing concerns about oversight and accountability in the IVF industry, where errors can have devastating consequences for families. It also raises questions about the rights of parents, surrogates, and donor-conceived individuals when it comes to genetic relationships and the handling of reproductive materials.
The details
According to the lawsuit filed by Tiffany Score and Steven Mills, the couple turned to Fertility Center of Orlando and Dr. Milton McNichol for IVF treatment. In April 2025, Score was implanted with what she thought was one of their own embryos, but genetic testing later proved the baby, named Shea, is not biologically related to either parent. The clinic was also sued by a surrogate who alleged she gave birth to a baby with a genetic disorder that the clinic should have known about.
- In April 2025, Tiffany Score was implanted with an embryo at Fertility Center of Orlando.
- On December 11, 2025, Score and her husband Steven Mills welcomed their daughter Shea.
- In January 2026, Score and Mills filed a lawsuit against the clinic and Dr. McNichol.
- In March 2026, the clinic was served with another lawsuit by a surrogate.
- On April 3, 2026, Fertility Center of Orlando announced it would be closing its operations.
The players
Tiffany Score
A woman who, along with her husband Steven Mills, filed a lawsuit against Fertility Center of Orlando after welcoming a baby in 2025 who they claim is not genetically related to them.
Steven Mills
The husband of Tiffany Score, who along with his wife filed a lawsuit against Fertility Center of Orlando after welcoming a baby in 2025 who they claim is not genetically related to them.
Dr. Milton McNichol
A doctor at Fertility Center of Orlando who was named in the lawsuit filed by Tiffany Score and Steven Mills.
Fertility Center of Orlando
An IVF clinic in Florida that is shutting down after being sued by a couple who claimed the baby they welcomed is not biologically related to them, and being served with another lawsuit by a surrogate.
CNY Fertility
Another fertility clinic that Fertility Center of Orlando is recommending its patients transition their care to.
What they’re saying
“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 the child we conceived. We are heartbroken, devastated, and confused.”
— Tiffany Score and Steven Mills, Couple who filed lawsuit
“There are multiple families who believe that they might be genetically related to Shea.”
— Jack Scarola, Attorney for Tiffany Score and Steven Mills
What’s next
The court has directed Fertility Center of Orlando to first offer free genetic testing to patients who underwent implantation in April 2025 when Tiffany Score did. One couple is currently awaiting those results, which are expected in the first week of March.
The takeaway
This case highlights the need for greater oversight and accountability in the IVF industry to prevent devastating errors that can tear families apart. It also underscores the complex ethical and legal issues surrounding genetic relationships, donor-conceived individuals, and the rights of all parties involved in assisted reproductive technologies.
