Summary (tl;dr)

A Florida couple, Tiffany Score and Steven Mills, who gave birth to a baby not genetically related to them due to an IVF mix-up, has reached a custody agreement with the child's biological parents. The agreement grants Score and Mills permanent legal custody of the baby girl, Shea.

Essential Background

Tiffany Score and Steven Mills sought in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment at the Fertility Center of Orlando. In December 2025, Tiffany gave birth to a daughter, Shea, but the couple quickly noticed their baby appeared to be of a different racial background than themselves. Genetic testing subsequently confirmed that Shea was not biologically related to either Score or Mills, revealing her to be 100% South Asian.

The Full Story

Following the discovery of the embryo mix-up, Steven Mills and Tiffany Score filed a lawsuit in Orange County Circuit Court in January 2026 against IVF Life, Inc., operating as the Fertility Center of Orlando, and its lead reproductive endocrinologist, Dr. Milton McNichol. The lawsuit aimed to identify Shea's biological parents and to determine the status of Score and Mills' own embryos. In April 2026, attorneys confirmed that the biological parents of baby Shea had been identified. Most recently, in June 2026, a "mutually devised custody agreement" was reached between both sets of parents, establishing that Score and Mills will maintain permanent legal custody of Shea, while the biological parents will also remain a part of her life. The Fertility Center of Orlando has since ceased operations and is facing multiple lawsuits related to this incident.

Why It Matters

This case has garnered significant attention, highlighting the profound emotional and ethical challenges that can arise from errors in fertility treatments. It underscores critical concerns about patient safety, the rigorous protocols of IVF clinics, and the complex legal frameworks necessary to address such unprecedented situations. The incident has brought to light the devastating impact on families involved and emphasizes the need for transparency and accountability within the fertility industry. Furthermore, the ongoing questions regarding the fate of the Score and Mills' own embryos add another layer of complexity and concern for those undergoing fertility treatments.

Geographic Location

• Fertility Center of Orlando, Longwood, Seminole County, Florida, United States (location of the fertility clinic where the embryo mix-up occurred and which has since closed)
• Orange County Circuit Court, Orlando, Orange County, Florida, United States (where the lawsuit was filed and legal proceedings took place)