Carolyn Savage of Sylvania, Ohio has given birth to a baby boy in a bizarre case of negligence by a fertility clinic. Savage, 40, has agreed that the baby is not hers after the clinic implanted the wrong embryo. The Savages have agreed not only to have the baby but to give up the baby to his biological parents.
She learned the truth ten days after the procedure when the clinic called to say basically “the good news is that you’re pregnant, the bad news is that the baby is not yours.” The baby was shown by DNA tests to actually belong to Paul and Shannon Morell of metro Detroit.
The negligence of the clinic effectively made her a surrogate for another family. Presumably, she can recover not just for negligence and negligent infliction of emotional distress but also possibly battery since she did not consent to this implantation.
The Savages could not be more gracious toward the Morell family, releasing the statement: “We would like to offer our heartfelt congratulations to the Morell family on the birth of their son. We wish Paul, Shannon, their twin girls and their new baby boy the best, as they move forward with their lives together.”
For the full story, click here.
I do not know what or how this woman feels. For people trying to conceive it is not an easy task. This must be an ultimate let down for the “Hatcher.” Can money compensate for this tort adequately?
Just when I’m about completely ashamed of the species, truly altruistic people show up and make me reconsider. These are good people. Money can’t compensate for this tort adequately. It’ll have to do, but it is insufficient.
The Savages have a lot of class, I don’t think I would be so gracious.
She has made many sacrifices here- for the nine months that she was carrying the baby, she is eliminating her chances of having her own, specially given her age.
The correspondents discussing this on air keep pressing the “unbelief” that anyone would do such a good deed. I would be willing to bet that given the same circumstances, most women would do what the Savages did. Because they are caring, loving individuals as most Americans are. Quit being so negative!
She couldn’t have picked a better state to have this happen in, except maybe Dade County, Florida. Can’t wait to see what kind of numbers she gets for the malpractice settlement. Only wish I could get my hands on it!
“battery since she did not consent to this implantation”. How does that work? Did they chase her down with a turkey baster?
She knew from the beginning of the pregnancy that it wasn’t her baby so she didn’t have bonding issues to deal with. That makes it easier to give the baby up. I think her and her husband are wonderful people to have dealt with a horrible situation as this. There is no excuse for the clinics mix up. And I hope that it will never happen again. No doubt the will sue and this is one case I think it is just to do so. As for her age I don’t see why one year makes a difference. If it does for her then I hope they take the blessings that GOD gave them and live happily ever after. So rare to find people of their character now days.
She had 2 embryos implanted and one is hers so she will have non-biological twins.
Before we go accusing her of being altruistic, could she have terminated the one fetus without causing harm to hers?
Additionally I am not so sure this would be an isolated case of goodwill, I know many pro-life women who would not even think twice about having the child and giving it to the biological parents.
Is it altruism to act on your principles?
Byron-I read the linked article and saw no mention of a second birth. Do you have a link to that information?
Somehow I can’t feel that this stuff is bound to happen when you mess with what God should be doing. Humans make mistakes, God does not.
Dpeifer:
I heard it on the news just this morning, the anchors were talking about it. I may have misunderstood but I am pretty sure she is carrying 2 children, one hers and one the other couples.
This would make some sense because usually they implant more than one embryo at a time.
Trial Lawyer,
She couldn’t have picked a better state to have this happen in, except maybe Dade County, Florida. Can’t wait to see what kind of numbers she gets for the malpractice settlement. Only wish I could get my hands on it!
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You sound like an ultra conservative right wing nut. No one with decency would have phrased what you stated the way you stated it. These are not even the best states for a negligence action to be maintained. Michigan being the worst as damages are caped at 280K, btw this even included being blown up by a bad assed tire or if ford manufactured another pinto.
This sounds a lot like Rush DittoRightPocketPoolNutJobhead.
I agree, maybe Dade County, Florida would be a great runner up. Xenia, Ohio would be another great place to have this episode. I will be awaiting the numbers she gets for malpractice.
Maybe San Diego County will pay closer attention after the settlement is done.
CLASS ACT!
heartbreaking.
Byron,
No mention of any child but the boy.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33031478/ns/health/
Buddha:
then there is another story going around, because I am sure I heard the anchors commenting on how she was having twins and they were not biological because of the mistaken identity of the embryo.