A woman in the United States has filed a lawsuit against Coastal Fertility Clinic after an IVF mix-up resulted in her giving birth to another couple’s baby.
Krystena Murray, who underwent IVF treatment in May 2023, was initially overjoyed when she discovered she was pregnant. However, her happiness turned to shock when she gave birth to a Black baby in December, despite being white and selecting a white sperm donor.
Suspecting an error, Murray conducted a DNA test in January 2024, which confirmed that she was not genetically related to the baby. She informed the clinic of the mistake but decided to care for the child, forming a deep maternal bond. However, a few months later, the baby’s biological parents sought custody.
“To carry a baby, fall in love with him, deliver him, and build a uniquely special bond, only to have him taken away — I’ll never fully recover from this,” Murray expressed during a press conference. Despite her emotional connection, her legal team advised her that she had no grounds to retain custody. She voluntarily surrendered the child, who now lives with his biological parents in another state.
Coastal Fertility Clinic acknowledged the error, describing it as “an isolated event with no further patients affected.” The clinic stated that additional safety measures have been implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Murray is now pursuing legal action, seeking accountability for the emotional distress caused by the clinic’s negligence. “My baby is not genetically mine — he doesn’t have my blood, he doesn’t have my eyes, but he is and will always be my son,” she said.
