**Florida Couple Reaches Custody Agreement After IVF Mix-Up**
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Tiffany Score and Steven Mills, a couple from Florida, have reached a significant milestone in their journey following a shocking turn of events during their in vitro fertilisation (IVF) process. After discovering that their daughter, Shea Score Mills, born on December 11th, 2025, was not genetically related to them, the pair has successfully established a custody agreement with the child’s biological parents.
The couple’s ordeal began when they sought assistance from the Fertility Center of Orlando, where they produced and froze three viable embryos during their IVF treatment. According to a lawsuit filed by Score and Mills, the couple believed that the embryo used for implantation was one of their own. However, upon seeing their daughter for the first time, they realised Shea did not resemble either parent.
Feeling a sense of moral responsibility, the couple sought to identify Shea’s genetic parents. In a statement they made earlier this month, Score and Mills expressed their hope that legal action would allow them to embrace the joy that their daughter brings into their lives. “We want to begin living more freely and to finally celebrate the one beautiful thing that has come from all of this: our daughter,” they stated.
In April of this year, through genetic testing, the couple confirmed that they had identified the biological parents of Shea. The discovery marked a turning point in their emotional journey. “This ends one chapter in our heartbreaking journey, but it raises new issues that will have to be resolved,” the couple said, underscoring their enduring commitment to love and care for Shea: “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.”
Recent court filings indicate that a “mutually devised custody agreement” has been reached between Score and Mills and Shea’s biological parents. While the specifics of the agreement remain confidential, it has been confirmed that Score and Mills will retain their rights as the permanent custodial parents of Shea. This allows them to continue their role in her upbringing while maintaining a relationship with her biological parents.
Despite the significant public interest in their story, the couple has chosen to prioritise the privacy of their daughter’s genetic parents. A legal representative for Score and Mills stated that while they acknowledge the media’s role in helping to resolve the situation, they remain committed to safeguarding the privacy of those involved.
To further secure their family’s future, Score and Mills are taking steps to manage their remaining embryos. After the Fertility Center of Orlando announced its closure, Score and Mills have partnered with a new clinic to handle the transport and storage of their viable embryos. Their new provider is in contact with the former clinic to arrange the necessary logistics, and plans are in place for parentage testing of the embryos, which will determine their next steps.
The couple is also set to appear in court again soon, with a hearing scheduled for June 15th to finalise the custody agreement. As they navigate through these complex legal and emotional landscapes, Score and Mills remain focused on the well-being of Shea and the commitment to creating a positive family environment.
As their story evolves, Tiffany and Steven Score Mills continue to emphasise their unconditional love for their daughter, highlighting the essential bond they share, irrespective of her genetic connections. They have expressed their intent to cultivate a relationship built on love, trust, and mutual respect with Shea’s biological parents, illustrating their dedication to creating a supportive and nurturing environment for Shea as she grows.
With the finalisation of this custody agreement, a semblance of stability seems to be emerging for this family, as they work to navigate the complexities of parenthood and family identity amidst the challenges posed by their IVF experience.