Man Files Lawsuit Against IVF Clinic After Finding Out Daughter Isn’t His

A Las Vegas man’s world was turned upside down when a DNA test revealed his daughter isn’t biologically his, but the daughter of strangers.

At a Glance

  • A man and his daughter filed a lawsuit against Nevada Fertility C.A.R.E.S after a DNA test showed they are not genetically related.
  • The lawsuit accuses a fertility doctor of implanting an embryo that didn’t contain genetic material from either parent.
  • The revelation came after the daughter did a DNA test on Ancestry.com shortly after her mother died in 2022.
  • The lawsuit seeks over $45,000 in damages for emotional distress and other related costs.

DNA Test Sparks Legal and Emotional Turmoil

A man in Las Vegas, identified in the lawsuit as EP Doe, has taken legal action against the Nevada Fertility C.A.R.E.S clinic after it was discovered his daughter, conceived through IVF nearly two decades ago, is not biologically related to him. This discovery unraveled when his daughter, KP Doe, took an Ancestry.com DNA test in October 2023.

The DNA test results showed a shocking truth—KP was not genetically linked to EP. Instead, she was born from an embryo created for another couple. This revelation has caused substantial emotional and financial distress for the family.

 

Since EP had used an egg donor, the expectation was that his sperm would fertilize the donated egg. However, the lawsuit claims a different embryo, belonging to an entirely different couple, was implanted into EP’s wife. This grievous error only came to light after KP’s mother, CWP Doe, passed away in 2022, prompting KP to search for her genetic roots.

A Father’s Heartbreaking Realization

The lawsuit against Nevada Fertility C.A.R.E.S paints a devastating picture of heartache and loss. KP Doe’s attorney, Robert Murdock, described the father’s reaction: “had more tears than I’ve ever seen someone shed, because what he thought was his daughter … isn’t.” This revelation has profoundly impacted EP, who thought he was continuing his family line.

“EP was deprived of the opportunity to create life from his heritage as was promised and planned by Defendants … KP is not the biological daughter of EP as was intended, and KP is not the biological daughter of EP or the egg donor,” the lawsuit reads.

Alongside the emotional toll, EP is now embroiled in legal adoption proceedings to formally become KP’s father, which is causing further financial strain. The lawsuit alleges the doctor’s malpractice and negligence and seeks over $45,000 for emotional distress and other damages.

Reigniting IVF Accountability Debates

The implications of this case extend beyond just one family. The lawsuit alleges that similar mix-ups may have occurred at the clinic between 2002 and 2012, potentially affecting hundreds of families. Nevada Fertility C.A.R.E.S has since closed, but both the responsible doctor and embryologist continue to practice in the IVF industry.

“IVF is an absolutely amazing thing,” Murdock said. “We are living in amazing times that we can help out couples who have fertility issues. It’s an amazing thing.”

This case raises critical questions about the accountability and accuracy of fertility procedures, highlighting the ethical dilemmas inherent in such treatments. The original embryo’s whereabouts remain unknown, adding another layer of complexity to this troubling incident.

This is just unbelievably sad, isn’t it?

 

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