By Emmanuel Bobby
A Florida-based fertility clinic is preparing to close its doors following a series of troubling allegations, including a lawsuit claiming that a woman unknowingly gave birth to another couple’s child — a revelation that only came to light after the baby was born.
The Fertility Center of Orlando, located in Longwood, announced on its website that it would cease operations after what it described as “thoughtful consideration.” The clinic did not specify an exact timeline for the closure, nor did it elaborate on the reasons behind the decision.
The announcement comes as the clinic faces mounting legal challenges and scrutiny, raising broader concerns about oversight and accountability within the rapidly growing fertility industry in the United States.
Lawsuit Alleges Embryo Mix-Up Discovered After Birth
The most high-profile case involves a couple, Tiffany Score and Steven Mills, who underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF) at the clinic. In January, they filed a lawsuit after genetic testing revealed that the baby girl they welcomed in December 2025 was not biologically theirs.
The couple said they were prompted to pursue DNA testing after noticing that their newborn appeared to be of a different racial background. Both parents are white, while their daughter exhibited traits suggesting non-Caucasian ancestry, according to the legal filing.
Subsequent testing confirmed that the child — named Shea — is 100% South Asian, their attorney, Mara Hatfield, said. The discovery has left the couple grappling with a deeply complex emotional and legal situation.
Court filings indicate that the clinic has not disputed the core claim that the child is not genetically related to the plaintiffs. Attorneys for the clinic have stated they are cooperating with efforts to identify the biological parents, including conducting DNA testing among other patients whose treatment timelines overlap.
According to Hatfield, one South Asian couple has already been identified among a group of 16 potential matches, with test results expected soon.
Despite the circumstances, Score and Mills have expressed a desire to continue raising the child.
“They have a healthy and happy baby girl that they love, and who loves them,” Hatfield said, describing the case as emotionally devastating and extraordinarily complicated.
Separate Lawsuit Raises Concerns About Surrogacy Practices
In a second lawsuit filed in March, another woman — identified in court documents as Jane Doe — alleges that the clinic failed to properly evaluate her mental health before allowing her to act as a surrogate.
The lawsuit claims the woman had a documented history of severe mental illness and was not capable of fully understanding the agreement she entered into. It further alleges that the clinic did not obtain or review her psychological records prior to proceeding with the embryo transfer.
The child she carried was born in 2025 with thanatophoric dysplasia, a rare and typically fatal skeletal disorder. The baby died shortly after birth, according to court filings, although the woman reportedly continues to believe the child is still alive.
Her attorney emphasized that the lawsuit is not about the genetic condition itself, which usually occurs spontaneously, but rather about whether the clinic acted responsibly in approving her as a surrogate.
“This case is about placing an embryo into a woman who was psychologically unfit for the process,” the attorney said.
The lawsuit also names the woman’s cousin and the cousin’s partner, alleging they were aware of her mental health condition.
Legal, Financial Troubles Surround Clinic
The lawsuits are unfolding alongside documented financial difficulties for the Fertility Center of Orlando. Court records show the clinic filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in late 2024 and continued to carry outstanding debts into 2025.
In addition, state health records indicate the clinic was cited for multiple violations during a 2023 inspection. Among the issues identified were outdated equipment and the absence of certain emergency medications, including lidocaine, which can be critical in cardiac emergencies.
As a result, the clinic’s founder, Dr. Milton McNichol, was fined $5,000 by the Florida Board of Medicine in 2024.
Neither McNichol nor representatives for the clinic have publicly addressed the allegations in detail, and they have not responded to repeated requests for comment.
Transition Plan Leaves Questions Unanswered
In a message sent to patients, the clinic indicated that another IVF provider plans to open a new facility at the same location. The communication suggested that some existing staff members would remain, offering continuity of care for patients currently undergoing treatment.
However, the announcement did not clarify whether Dr. McNichol would be involved in the new operation or address how ongoing legal issues might impact the transition.
The lack of transparency has raised concerns among patients and legal experts alike, with some questioning whether the closure is part of a routine business shift or an effort to limit liability.
Broader Debate Over IVF Regulation in the U.S.
The situation has reignited debate over the regulation of IVF in the United States, where oversight is often described as fragmented and insufficient compared to other developed countries.
IVF is widely used, with approximately 100,000 babies born each year in the U.S. through assisted reproductive technologies. While the procedure has brought hope to countless families, critics argue that the industry operates with limited mandatory oversight.
Professional organizations such as the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology establish best practice guidelines, but compliance is largely voluntary.
Legal experts note that there is no comprehensive national system for tracking errors at fertility clinics, and providers are not universally required to disclose past mistakes to prospective patients.
While incidents like embryo mix-ups are rare, they are not unprecedented. Other issues — such as storage failures that destroy frozen embryos — occur more frequently, though the true scale is difficult to measure due to the lack of centralized reporting.
A Complex and Ongoing Situation
As investigations and lawsuits continue, the closure of the Fertility Center of Orlando marks a significant moment for patients, staff, and the broader fertility field.
For families like Score and Mills, the case underscores both the promise and the potential risks of assisted reproductive technology — a field that, while often life-changing, can carry profound consequences when errors occur.
Legal proceedings are expected to continue in the months ahead, potentially shaping future standards and accountability measures within the IVF industry.
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