SHE REMAINS IN JAIL ON $15,000 BOND. ATTORNEYS FOR THE CENTRAL FLORIDA COUPLE AT THE CENTER OF AN IVF MIX-UP SAY THEY’RE MAKING PROGRESS IN FINDING THE GENETIC PARENTS OF THEIR BABY GIRL. THIS LEGAL BATTLE HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR WEEKS NOW. THE LITTLE GIRL WAS BORN IN DECEMBER THROUGH IVF FROM THE FERTILITY CENTER OF ORLANDO IN LONGWOOD. THE COUPLE’S ATTORNEYS HAVE BEEN GOING BACK AND FORTH WITH THE CLINIC AND DOCTOR MILTON MCNICOL, WHO THEY SAY IMPLANTED THE WRONG EMBRYO. LAST YEAR THROUGH WEEKLY COURT HEARINGS. THEIR ATTORNEY SAYS THEY’RE CLOSE TO GETTING SOME ANSWERS. THE ATTORNEY FOR THE CLINIC SAYS THEY HAVE A GENERAL VIEW OF WHAT HAPPENED, BUT THEY NE
Testing continues to find genetic parents for Central Florida baby involved in IVF mix-up
An Orange County judge held another status hearing on Tuesday
Updated: 10:50 PM EST Feb 24, 2026
Attorneys for the Central Florida couple, at the center of an IVF mix-up, said they are making some progress in finding the genetic parents for the baby girl.That update came during a virtual status hearing Tuesday afternoon with Orange County Judge Margaret H. Schreiber.The couple’s attorney, Mara Hatfield, said all parties agreed to expedite the testing of one particular couple. WESH 2 has been following this story since the legal battle began in January. The couple’s baby girl was born in December through IVF from the Fertility Center of Orlando in Longwood.The couple’s attorneys at Searcy Law have been going back and forth with the clinic and Dr. McNichol, who they said implanted the wrong embryo. “We have a general view of what happened, but my general view, however, has to be cross-referenced with all of the charts, and it’s my expectation to have all of that material in front of the Judge, in front of you, by the next meeting,” said Robert Terenzio, the attorney representing the clinic.”Right now, we’re focused on one patient couple set. There is an at-risk group that has been contacted. Testing will fall through them if necessary after that and we’ll continue testing based upon what the parties know about our plaintiffs after that, if necessary,” said Mara Hatfield, the attorney representing the couple.Hatfield said they are still missing some information about the retrieval process, which will help them determine if the couple still has a viable genetic embryo at the clinic.If so, all parties agreed to transfer it to another clinic.The next status hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, March 4, at 2 p.m.
, Fla. —
Attorneys for the Central Florida couple, at the center of an IVF mix-up, said they are making some progress in finding the genetic parents for the baby girl.
That update came during a virtual status hearing Tuesday afternoon with Orange County Judge Margaret H. Schreiber.
The couple’s attorney, Mara Hatfield, said all parties agreed to expedite the testing of one particular couple.
WESH 2 has been following this story since the legal battle began in January. The couple’s baby girl was born in December through IVF from the Fertility Center of Orlando in Longwood.
The couple’s attorneys at Searcy Law have been going back and forth with the clinic and Dr. McNichol, who they said implanted the wrong embryo.
“We have a general view of what happened, but my general view, however, has to be cross-referenced with all of the charts, and it’s my expectation to have all of that material in front of the Judge, in front of you, by the next meeting,” said Robert Terenzio, the attorney representing the clinic.
“Right now, we’re focused on one patient couple set. There is an at-risk group that has been contacted. Testing will fall through them if necessary after that and we’ll continue testing based upon what the parties know about our plaintiffs after that, if necessary,” said Mara Hatfield, the attorney representing the couple.
Hatfield said they are still missing some information about the retrieval process, which will help them determine if the couple still has a viable genetic embryo at the clinic.
If so, all parties agreed to transfer it to another clinic.
The next status hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, March 4, at 2 p.m.