A Florida couple's journey to parenthood took an unexpected turn when they discovered their baby girl was not genetically related to them. Tiffany Score and Steven Mills welcomed daughter Shea in December 2025 after years of fertility struggles, but genetic testing revealed an embryo mix-up at the clinic. They have now reached a custody agreement with the biological parents, as reported by ABC News.
The Custody Agreement
Under the agreement, Score and Mills will remain Shea's permanent custodial parents. The details are confidential, but both families have committed to prioritizing the child's well-being. The couple named their daughter Shea and later learned through testing that she matched another couple genetically. The clinic, IVF Life, Inc., formerly the Fertility Center of Orlando, has since closed.
Both families met and, after careful consideration, devised a mutually agreed custody arrangement. They aim to build a friendship and trust around Shea, ensuring her life remains stable. Score and Mills continue to raise Shea as their daughter, as outlined in the agreement filed in Orange County, Florida.
Their attorney, Jack Scarola, noted that Score and Mills were grateful the situation led them to connect with Shea's biological parents. Media attention helped locate the other family, alleviating concerns about Shea's future. The biological parents have chosen to remain anonymous, and both families are committed to protecting Shea's privacy.
Legal Action Against the Clinic
Score and Mills are suing IVF Life, Inc. and its former director, Dr. Milton McNichol, alleging negligence. They claim they paid for proper IVF care and storage of three embryos but did not receive the promised services.
The Journey to Parenthood
The couple endured years of heartbreak, including fertility treatments, embryo storage, and a previous miscarriage. The Fertility Center of Orlando held their three embryos. In April 2025, one embryo was implanted, leading to Shea's birth in December. However, the parents soon noticed she did not resemble them, and genetic testing confirmed Shea was not biologically related to them. Their embryo had been swapped with another couple's during IVF.
Search for Answers
The revelation sparked a legal battle and an emotional search for Shea's biological family. Score and Mills sued the clinic and its doctor for negligence. By then, the Fertility Center had closed, but questions remained. Emotionally, the couple struggled with the fact that the child they had longed for, carried, and loved was not biologically theirs. However, they never considered giving her up. For them, Shea was already their daughter.
DNA testing eventually led to the biological parents, whose identities remain private. The case is one of the most extraordinary IVF disputes in recent years, raising questions about parenthood, genetics, medical accountability, and emotional bonds.
The Missing Embryo
One lingering question is what happened to Score and Mills' own embryo. They started with three: one led to a miscarriage, another was used in the mix-up resulting in Shea, and one remains. The couple transferred the remaining embryo to a different clinic for testing to determine if it is theirs. However, proving parentage requires further tests that could risk the embryo. They have not ruled out the possibility that their embryo was used for someone else, and the lawsuit continues.
