A Southern California couple is reeling from heartbreak after a fertility clinic error allegedly resulted in the disposal of their embryos, crushing their dreams of starting a family. Marissa Calhoun and Stephen Castaneda are now facing the devastating reality that a clinic’s mistake may have cost them their chance to have biological children together.
“Our embryos, the very ones that represented our dream of a family, had been thrown away,” Calhoun expressed, highlighting the emotional toll of the incident. The couple had placed their trust in Reproductive Partners Medical Group (RPMG), a Los Angeles-based fertility clinic, only to have their hopes shattered by what they describe as a careless act.
Calhoun’s journey to conceive has been arduous. Since 2021, she has undergone three painful egg retrieval procedures. In October, her eggs were successfully fertilized, resulting in 16 viable embryos that offered the promise of a family. These embryos were entrusted to RPMG for storage, a decision that the couple now deeply regrets following the clinic’s admission of a critical error.
According to attorney Adam Wolf, who is representing Calhoun and Castaneda, RPMG has acknowledged that an employee failed to properly label the embryos before placing them in an incubator. Subsequently, these unlabeled embryos were removed and discarded. This admission of error has led the couple to file a lawsuit against Reproductive Partners Medical Group, citing reckless negligence in a case filed with the Los Angeles County Superior Court.
“For nearly two decades my doctors told me that my chances of conceiving a child naturally were extremely low, that IVF was my best option of becoming a mother,” Calhoun stated, emphasizing the significance of these embryos in her long and challenging journey to motherhood. The couple’s lawsuit against Reproductive Partners Medical Group seeks accountability for the clinic’s alleged negligence and the profound personal loss they have suffered.
In a statement released to Eyewitness News, Reproductive Partners Medical Group described the incident as “regrettable, unintentional, and isolated.” The clinic sought to reassure its patients, stating, “We can confidently assure every RPMG patient that their eggs and embryos were not in any way impacted during this isolated incident.” However, for Calhoun and Castaneda, this isolated incident has had life-altering consequences.
While the couple’s chances of having a biological child have been severely compromised, they are determined to bring attention to what they believe is a critical issue within the fertility industry. They hope their story will serve as a catalyst for change in how fertility clinic errors are reported and handled, ensuring greater transparency and patient protection.
Wolf echoed this sentiment, stating, “We think it’s vitally important that the public is aware that these kinds of issues happen.” The lawsuit against Reproductive Partners Medical Group is not just about seeking compensation for Calhoun and Castaneda; it’s also about raising public awareness and advocating for improved standards of care within fertility clinics.
Reproductive Partners Medical Group’s full statement further elaborated on their position:
“We are aware of the recently filed lawsuit describing a regrettable, unintentional, and isolated incident involving one patient. We have proactively communicated with this patient since the day it occurred. We have been and continue to be committed to open, direct communication and support. We can confidently assure every RPMG patient that their eggs and embryos were not in any way impacted during this isolated incident. Reproductive Partners Medical Group has a long-standing reputation in Los Angeles for the highest quality standards, and we have helped to bring 25,000 babies into the world. In this circumstance, as in every other, we are committed to supporting each of our patients with empathy and compassion on their journey to achieving their desired goals.”
Despite the clinic’s assurances, Calhoun and Castaneda remain devastated by the loss and are committed to pursuing their legal action against Reproductive Partners Medical Group in the hope of preventing similar incidents from affecting other couples in the future.
