A woman named Krystena Murray was surprised to see that her newborn baby, conceived through IVF, was a bit different than her. While she picked a White donor like herself, her baby was dark-skinned. While surprised, she decided to raise the baby. However, the fertilization clinic contacted the real parents who then sued for custody. Murray gave up custody and has since sued the clinic for negligence.
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According to PEOPLE, Murray came in contact with Coastal Fertility, as she wished to become pregnant. In May 2023, the clinic successfully transferred an embryo, not knowing at the time that the embryo belonged to another couple.
In December 2023, Murray delivered what she thought was her baby. She was surprised to see that the baby she delivered was Black. Her sperm donor was White just like her. She immediately knew that the fertilized egg used by the clinic belonged to someone else.
Not bothered by the baby's race, she decided to raise him for five months. She did report the mix-up to Coastal Fertility after having a DNA test performed in January 2024. Staff members would later track down the owners of the fertilized egg. The couple sued Murray for custody of the baby. Instead of fighting, she decided to give up the baby voluntarily instead in May 2024.
Lawsuit
Less than a year later, on Tuesday, February 18, Krystena Murray filed a civil lawsuit against Coastal Fertility.
"This has destroyed me. I'm heartsick; I'm emotionally broken. Nothing can express the shock and violation upon learning that your doctor put a stranger's embryo into your body," Krystena said in a Lost Embryos statement. "To carry a baby, fall in love with him, deliver him, and build the uniquely special bond between mother and baby, all to have him taken away. I'll never fully recover from this."
Coastal Fertility has since issued a statement, sharing it with NBC News. They claimed that Murray's case was an "isolated incident."
"Coastal Fertility Specialists deeply regrets the distress caused by an unprecedented error that resulted in an embryo transfer mix-up," the fertility clinic said. "While this ultimately led to the birth of a healthy child, we recognize the profound impact this situation has had on the affected families, and we extend our sincerest apologies."
