Florida Couple Sues IVF Clinic for Wrong Sperm Mix-Up

A Miami couple is seeking damages from a Florida fertility clinic, alleging that a mix-up in sperm during in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments resulted in the birth of a child who is not biologically related to the father. The lawsuit was filed by Natalie and Josh Strong against Brown Fertility in Jacksonville.

According to the Strongs' legal representatives, the couple underwent extensive and painful medical procedures, incurring significant costs, with the expectation of having a biological child. They claim that Brown Fertility used the wrong sperm, leading to the birth of their daughter, Ava.

Natalie Strong shared her devastation at a press conference Thursday morning, stating, "We are devastated. I mean, this is gonna affect us for the rest of our lives. We gotta figure out how we’re gonna tell [our child] one day, and it took away the euphoria of having a baby."

The couple discovered the genetic discrepancy the day after Ava's birth due to a blood test. Natalie Strong has type O-negative blood, and Josh Strong has type A-negative blood. Their daughter, Ava, was found to have B positive blood type. Josh Strong, a nurse, noted the impossibility of this blood type combination given their own negative blood types. Subsequent retesting of both parents' blood types confirmed their original results, leaving no biological explanation for Ava's blood type.

Ava is now 15 months old. The Strongs report that they have not received a response from the fertility clinic and do not know the identity of their daughter's biological father. Josh Strong described the emotional turmoil, saying, "You do have sadness and anger, and in the same day you also have joy and love. It’s just a lot to deal with, but we love her very much."

Brown Fertility has not yet responded to requests for comment.