Callum Jones
A couple from Florida, who sued a fertility clinic after an 'embryo mix-up', have spoken out after their newborn's biological parents were found.
Tiffany Score and Steven Mills welcomed their third child in December last year and after struggling to conceive naturally, they decided to go down the path of IVF.
The pair went through the treatment, which involves the woman's eggs and the man's sperm being fertilized outside of the mother's body, with what they thought was without any hiccups.
However, a lawsuit filed against The Fertility Center of Orlando noted that both Tiffany and Steven are white, but their IVF-conceived baby is 'a racially non-Caucasian child'.
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Subsequent genetic testing revealed that baby Shea was not biologically theirs, with Tiffany and Steven since revealing that their baby's biological parents have been identified.
Jack Scarola, the couple's attorney, told People: "The results of testing delivered to us today confirm that our baby's genetic parents have been identified."
Tiffany and Steven plan to keep Shea's biological parents identities 'confidential', adding that they 'fully intend to cooperate in respecting their privacy'.
The couple added: "This ends one chapter in our heartbreaking journey, but it raises new issues that will have to be resolved. In addition, questions about the disposition of our own embryos are still unanswered and are even more unlikely to ever be answered.
"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."
Tiffany and Steven have previously spoken about wanting to raise Shea despite the newborn not biologically theirs.
Scarola told People that the 'remaining questions about the fate of Tiffany and Steven's unaccounted for embryos... are still pending'.
The attorney continued: "The current legal proceeding will remain open to address those matters. However, we expect that we will now also begin to focus on the need for our clients to be compensated for the expenses they have incurred and the severe emotional trauma that they endured and will continue to experience."
In a now-deleted statement published on its website, the Fertility Center of Orlando stated that it was 'actively cooperating with an investigation to support one of our patients in determining the source of an error that resulted in the birth of a child who is not genetically related to them'.
The statement was removed following a hearing for the case in January.
However, the clinic recently announced that it would be 'closing its operations' after 'thoughtful consideration'.
Its website states: "Patients are welcomed and encouraged to transition their care to CNY Fertility.
"CNY Fertility is committed to supporting your continuity of care. You will continue to see many of the same trusted and familiar faces who have been part of your care team, along with additional team members committed to supporting you on your journey."
UNILAD has previously reached out to the clinic for comment.