The clinic confused the donor during IVF: now the child has two families that are friends with each other

Donna and Vanner Johnson received an unexpected surprise on their 16th wedding anniversary in 2019 - it turned out that Vanner was not the father of their son Tim, who was then 12 years old. How did it happen, the publication said New York Post.

Photo: IStock

A couple living in Utah donated their DNA to 23andMe for genetic testing. They also included their two sons, Tim and Wanner, in the test because the company offered them a discount.

“The test tells about crazy bizarre genetic inclinations. For example, do you have an ear for music or do you smell asparagus in your urine,” Donna said about what they expected to know about each other.

But she certainly didn't expect to be listed as Tim's sole parent, along with an "unknown father".

The husband was extremely surprised: “What does “father unknown” mean? I am his father!

It took a year of investigation to find out that another man's sperm had been used to fertilize Donna's eggs at a fertility clinic.

This led to big questions about who actually was Tim's biological father. However, did this mean that Wanner also had an unknown biological son.

It turned out that he had no other children. The clinic appears to have mistakenly used sperm from another client, Devin McNell.

On the subject: A woman gave birth in the ocean and recorded the process on video: this dangerous trend is gaining popularity

“In March 2021, I got a call. Wanner said that we have something in common, and it is connected with IVF, Devin recalls. — I was confused. At first I thought that this was not a real call, perhaps a scam. Then he told Kelly that the guy would call back via video call, but said that we can close the camera.

Once the truth was revealed, Devin said, “There were a lot of suspicions. We couldn't believe that something like this could happen to us. The more you learn, the more you realize that this is not such a big rarity. But I recognized the names of my grandmother and niece when I saw Tim's family tree."

The McNalls decided to meet with the Johnsons and introduce Tim to his biological half-brother, who was born a few months before him.

However, the Johnsons did not immediately admit this to Tim. At first, they were not even sure that they would ever reveal the truth, but they eventually came to the conclusion that it would be better if he found out from them, and not by accident.

“I told him my feelings for him haven’t changed,” Wanner said. “And Tim said, 'You're still my dad.' He said it first and that's how I feel."

“It’s a difficult situation,” admitted McNell, who has three children with his wife, Kelly. “But that didn't change our family. Now the children have a stepbrother.”

There have already been several stories of confusion with IVF, some of which ended with the return of children to their biological families. However, in the situation with Tim, everything turned out differently - the two families became friends.

You may be interested in: top New York news, stories of our immigrants and helpful tips about life in the Big Apple - read it all on ForumDaily New York

“We met in the park, they all kicked the ball, played frisbee, and Tim liked it,” Donna recalls their first meeting.

Last summer, the Johnsons stayed at the home of the McNells, who had moved to Colorado. They went camping, played different games and just hung out.

"They think it's cool that they have a stepbrother," Devin said of his and Kelly's children. According to him, Tim has questions about what Devin was like as a child.

Families to whom the clinic paid undisclosed amounts signed a non-disclosure agreement, kept in touch via text messages and video sharing of Tim with the McNalls.

Devin admitted, “I have different emotions. Somewhat disappointed that the situation is not improving: why do we still have problems with donors five decades after the start of this medical procedure? Sometimes I just feel bad, I feel bad because it affects so many families.”

Read also on ForumDaily:

Online tools from USCIS that greatly simplify the life of immigrants in the United States

Costco Secret Rules: What You Need to Know to Save Money

15 Undervalued Job Search Tools

The Eight Most Famous Streets in America

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.