Two couples are suing an IVF clinic in Los Angeles after they discovered that the lab mixed up their embryos.
Daphna and Alexander Cardinale spent months raising another couple’s baby before their suspicions grew, so they decided to undergo a DNA test.
That’s when they found out that their daughter was not theirs and that the real family she belong to had been taking care of their biological child.
The couples then made the heartbreaking decision to swap children when they were four months old.
Now, the Cardinales are suing the California Center for Reproductive Health clinic and its owner Dr. Eliron Mor for fraud, medical malpractice, and negligence.
Speaking to People, 43-year-old Daphna said: “This is something that’s just changed who we are. It’s still a daily struggle and will continue to be.”
Alexander explained that when he saw the baby for the first time, he noticed right away that she did not look like him or his wife. Daphna tried to convince him and herself that there was nothing wrong but he could not get past the feeling that something was wrong.
“She looked really different than us. But she felt so familiar to me because I carried her and I birthed her,” Daphna said.
However, Alexander admitted that his “brain started going to the dark place” as they had used IVF.
Despite their doubts, the couple fell in love with the child and described the time with her as ‘sheer bliss.’
But something strange occurred that only supported their feelings that something wasn’t right: the clinic called asking for a photo of their daughter.
Daphna bought a DNA test and that’s when they discovered that their daughter was not genetically related to them.
After hearing the truth, the couple finally got to see a photo of their real daughter for the first time. They started having regular visits with the other couple, who named their child Zoe.
The couple eventually decided to swap babies even though it was difficult for everyone.
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