Florida Couple's Fertility Mix-Up Sparks Legal Battle Over Custody

A Florida couple's journey to parenthood took an unexpected turn when they discovered their baby was not biologically theirs due to a fertility clinic error. Tiffany Score and Steven Mills faced a painful realization that led them to pursue legal action against the clinic. As they navigated this emotional turmoil, they learned about the biological parents of their daughter, Shea. The situation has resulted in a complex custody agreement, allowing Score and Mills to remain her custodial parents while the biological parents choose to stay anonymous. This heart-wrenching story highlights the challenges and legal realities surrounding parenthood and fertility treatments.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 19, 2026, 01:49 IST

Unexpected Journey to Parenthood

Tiffany Score and Steven Mills never anticipated that their path to becoming parents would capture national attention. The couple from Florida sought assistance from the Fertility Center of Orlando in Longwood, aiming for a straightforward approach to starting their family. The clinic successfully helped them create three viable embryos. After undergoing an implantation in April 2025, Score gave birth to a daughter named Shea on December 11, 2025. However, from the outset, something felt amiss. Both Score and Mills are white, yet Shea did not resemble either of them. This unsettling realization prompted them to request genetic testing, which confirmed their fears: the embryo implanted in Score was not theirs, indicating a significant error had occurred during the process.

Instead of remaining silent, the couple chose to go public with their story, filing a lawsuit against the clinic and expressing a moral duty to locate the rightful parents of the embryo. By April of this year, genetic testing had successfully identified Shea's biological parents, although both families have opted to keep their identities confidential.

Biological Parents' Desire for Custody

Rob Marcereau, the attorney for Shea's biological parents, provided insights during an interview with a news outlet on June 17, revealing the emotional turmoil faced by his clients. They were not merely passive observers in this situation. Upon discovering that their embryo had been mistakenly given to another couple, they experienced immediate shock and profound grief. When asked if his clients would have preferred to raise Shea themselves, Marcereau responded candidly, stating, "If it was up to my clients and if they had the choice, of course." However, he noted that preference does not align with legal realities, particularly in Florida, where the law typically favors the woman who physically gives birth to a child in custody matters. Challenging this legal presumption would have been a daunting and likely unsuccessful endeavor.

Marcereau explained that the laws in Florida favor the birth mother, making any custody battle an uphill struggle. Faced with these challenges, his clients made a heart-wrenching decision not to pursue custody, a choice he described as agonizing and inexcusable.

Agreement Between Two Families

Since the biological parents were identified, both families have met privately several times. Marcereau characterized these meetings as deeply emotional, filled with tears and hugs. Each family carries its own grief; Score and Mills raised Shea for the first six months without knowing the full story, while the biological parents were unaware of the existence of a child genetically linked to them. A custody agreement has now been formalized, allowing Score and Mills to remain Shea's permanent custodial parents, while the biological parents will remain anonymous as per the terms of the agreement. A spokesperson for Score and Mills stated that the couple intends to focus on their daughter and nurturing their relationship with her biological parents.

Throughout this ordeal, Score and Mills have consistently expressed their love for Shea. In a previous statement, they mentioned that part of their motivation for legal action was to reach a point where they could stop fighting and start living. They expressed hope for a future where they could celebrate the joy of their daughter, acknowledging that while identifying the biological parents marked the end of one chapter, it also introduced new challenges. They affirmed their unwavering love for Shea, stating, "We will love and will be this child's parents forever." Shea is currently six months old.

Closure of the Fertility Clinic

In April, the Fertility Center of Orlando announced its closure. A new clinic is anticipated to open at the same location. Marcereau confirmed that his clients, the biological parents, are preparing to file their own lawsuit against the clinic and the involved doctor, separate from the legal actions initiated by Score and Mills. He emphasized that his clients have been placed in an incredibly challenging situation that no one should have to endure.