A Georgia woman has filed a lawsuit against Coastal Fertility after an embryo mix-up led her to give birth to a child who was not biologically hers. The woman, Krystena Murray, had undergone in vitro fertilization (IVF) with a white sperm donor of her choosing but was shocked when she delivered an African American baby in December 2023.
The lawsuit, filed in Georgia state court on Tuesday, details how Murray was forced to give up custody of the baby five months after his birth. Despite bonding with the child, a DNA test confirmed the embryo was not hers. Now, she is seeking justice and accountability for the life-changing mistake
RELATED STORIES: Same-Sex Influencer Couple Announce ‘Donor Sperm Giveaway’
The Fertility Clinic’s Alleged Mistake: How It Happened
Murray’s IVF Process and Expectations
Murray turned to Coastal Fertility to conceive through in vitro fertilization (IVF), specifically selecting a white sperm donor with dirty blond hair and blue eyes to match her personal preferences. However, in 2023, the clinic allegedly transferred the wrong embryo into her womb. For months, Murray believed she was carrying a child that would match her genetic expectations—until she delivered a baby boy with dark skin.
The Emotional Shock of Giving Birth to the Wrong Baby
When Murray gave birth in December 2023, she immediately sensed something was wrong. She recalled her heart dropping the moment she saw her newborn.
“All of the love and joy I felt seeing him for the first time was immediately replaced by fear. How could this have happened?”
Despite the initial shock, Murray cared for the baby as her own and developed a deep emotional bond. However, five months later, she had to give custody of the baby to his biological parents, NBC News reported.
RELATED STORIES: Man Under Investigation For Fathering 23 Children In A Year
Her attorney, Adam Wolf, stated that Murray has not been informed whether her embryos were transferred to another couple or if they are still being stored at the clinic. The clinic released a statement, describing the situation as an isolated incident and expressing deep regret for the distress caused by the error.
“The same day this error was discovered we immediately conducted an in-depth review and put additional safeguards in place to further protect patients and to ensure that such an incident does not happen again,”
