A Florida couple who gave birth to a baby girl genetically unrelated to them due to an embryo mix-up at their IVF clinic have identified the child’s biological parents. Tiffany Score and Steven Mills issued a statement through their attorney, Jack Scarola, on Tuesday evening, confirming that genetic testing had identified the biological parents of their nearly 4-month-old daughter, Shea.
The couple had been seeking answers since Score gave birth in December to a baby girl who is not their biological child. Score and Mills, who are both white, had undergone in vitro fertilization (IVF) at the Longwood, Florida, clinic and decided to pursue genetic testing because their baby appeared to be racially non-Caucasian.
In a statement issued through Scarola, the couple said: “The results of testing delivered to us today confirm that our baby’s genetic parents have been identified. Their identity remains confidential, and we fully intend to cooperate in respecting their privacy.”
In late March 2020, Score had her eggs retrieved and then combined with Mills’ sperm by IVF Life Inc., which operates the clinic. The clinic later informed the couple that three viable embryos were created and then frozen. In April 2025, the couple decided to implant Score with one of those embryos. Baby Shea was born Dec. 11, 2025. The couple immediately noticed the newborn did not resemble either of them racially, and subsequent genetic testing confirmed she shared no DNA with Score or Mills.
Score and Mills filed a lawsuit Jan. 22 in Orange County Circuit Court against IVF Life Inc. and its lead reproductive endocrinologist, Dr. Milton McNichol, asking the clinic to preserve all of its files and records, hoping to find the genetic parents of baby Shea and to locate their own genetic embryos, according to FOX 35 Orlando.
The couple previously explained their dual obligation in a statement: “We love our little [baby], and if possible, we would hope to be able to continue to raise her ourselves with confidence that she won’t be taken away from us. At the same time, we are aware that we have a moral obligation to find and notify her biological parents, as it is in her best interest that her genetic parents are provided the option to raise her as their own.”
While the identity of the biological parents is now known to Score and Mills, significant questions remain. “This ends one chapter in our heartbreaking journey, but it raises new issues that will have to be resolved,” the couple said. “In addition, questions about the disposition of our own embryos are still unanswered and are even more unlikely to ever be answered.” They added: “Only one thing is as absolutely certain today as it was on the day our daughter was born — we will love and will be this child’s parents forever.”
Shea’s biological parents have so far made no demands to take custody of the baby. Scarola noted that “remaining questions about the fate of Tiffany and Steven’s unaccounted-for embryos … are still pending.” He added that the current legal proceeding would remain open to address those matters, and that the couple’s legal team would now also focus on seeking compensation for the expenses and emotional trauma Score and Mills have endured and will continue to experience.
In March, after the lawsuit was filed, the Fertility Center of Orlando announced it would close.