A Florida couple became entwined in a legal and logistical nightmare following in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment that resulted in a woman being implanted with the wrong embryo. Tiffany Score and Steven Mills underwent IVF at Fertility Center of Orlando, resulting in the birth of a baby girl in December 2026. When the baby was born via emergency c-section, the white parents noticed their daughter appeared to be a different race. A genetic test confirmed the baby was not biologically related to them.
In vitro fertilization is a series of medical procedures that can lead to pregnancy. During IVF, eggs are collected from a woman’s ovaries and fertilized by sperm in a lab. The fertilized eggs, known as embryos, are then placed in a woman’s uterus with hopes the embryo develops into a healthy baby. The process takes several weeks and involves numerous blood tests, ultrasounds, and other medical procedures. Most people pursuing IVF have unsuccessfully attempted to get pregnant naturally for at least one year. IVF is often used by patients over age 40, those wanting to avoid passing a genetic condition to their child, or those desiring to preserve fertility due to health concerns. Medical conditions that could lead to IVF include fallopian tube damage or blockage, ovulation disorders, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, issues with sperm, and unexplained infertility.
Cost and Coverage
IVF can cost anywhere between $25,000 to $40,000-plus, including medication, lab work, and doctor fees. Coverage varies based on the state where an employer is located, which determines whether state mandates apply to employer-provided health insurance plans. The couple at the center of the embryo mix-up expressed immeasurable love for their daughter but also said they feel a moral obligation to find her genetic parents. A GoFundMe account was established to support extensive medical expenses, including prior IVF costs, hospital bills, mental health therapies, and efforts to locate their daughter’s biological family and their own genetic embryos, “which may or may not still exist.” The couple is also hoping to retrieve Score’s eggs that were frozen at a different clinic seven years ago—a process that could cost thousands.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/2026/02/03/what-is-ivf-embryo-mix-up-in-florida/88487929007/