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Donald Cline

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Donald Cline
Born (1938-12-10) December 10, 1938 (age 85)
Indianapolis, Indiana, US
Alma materIndiana University (BS, MD)
OccupationReproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist
Years active1979–2009
Known forInseminating his own sperm into unwitting patients and fathering at least 94 doctor-conceived children
Criminal statusReleased
Conviction(s)Obstruction of justice (2 counts)
Criminal penaltyOne-year suspended sentence
Date apprehended
September 14, 2016

Donald Lee Cline (born December 10, 1938) is a former American medical doctor of obstetrics and gynaecology and a felon.[1][2] Between 1974 and 1987, Cline sired over 90 children without disclosing himself as the sperm donor to his patients.[3] As of May 11, 2022, Cline has been confirmed as the biological father of 94 doctor-conceived offspring.[4]

Education and career

Cline received his undergraduate degree from Indiana University and his M.D. from Indiana University School of Medicine. After interning at Indiana University Health Methodist Hospital, he served two years in the Air Force and 12 years as inactive reserve. In 1979, Cline opened his clinic on 2020 West 86th Street in Indianapolis and specialized in reproductive endocrinology & infertility.[2] He practiced there until retiring in 2009. Following his felony conviction in 2018, Cline surrendered his medical license. He is prohibited from reinstatement by the Medical Licensing Board of Indiana.[5]

Fertility fraud

In 2014 when Jacoba Ballard, a daughter of a former patient of Dr. Cline, reviewed the results of her at-home DNA test, she discovered a biological connection to eight previously unknown half-siblings.[a] Her genetic genealogy research ultimately revealed Cline, her mother's fertility doctor, as her biological father.[7][8] Cline is now known to have covertly fathered at least 94 offspring.[9]

Investigations and litigation

Ballard filed a complaint with the Attorney General of Indiana who initiated an investigation in 2015.[10] Then Indiana attorney general Tim DeLaney declined to prosecute because "there was no law forbidding Cline’s conduct."[11] Ballard then pursued media coverage. Fox59 anchor Angela Ganote investigated her story.[10] During her investigation, Ganote learned that Cline had lied to the attorney general's office in their investigation.[12] Documents show that he had told investigators, "I can emphatically say that at no time did I ever use my own sample for insemination nor was I a donor."[13]

After a story aired on Fox59, Cline left a voicemail for Ballard contradicting what he had told investigators. "Uh, this is Dr. Cline, You know, I thought I was doing the right thing. I only donated my own sample nine or 10 times," he said. He had placed the call to ask Ballard for help with damage control. "Um, my wife and I, uh, after 57 years of marriage, um, we have had a great deal of problems over this. She considers this adultery. I donated my sample. Gonna lose my wife. Our marriage will be over. Can you help?"[13]

Ganote told DeLaney that Cline was lying to them.[10] Ballard played the audio of the voice mail. The attorney general then conducted an independent DNA test. The results confirmed a 99.9997% probability of paternity.[13] Charges were filed against Cline. In State of Indiana v. Donald Cline, Cline pleaded guilty to two Level 6 felony counts of obstruction of justice and received a one-year suspended sentence.[14]

On November 30, 2016, Elizabeth White and son Matthew White filed a proposed complaint for damages and demand for jury trial with the State of Indiana Department of Insurance. The proposed complaint cites negligence, constructive fraud, battery, breach of contract, breach of express warranty, and negligent hiring or retention as to defendant and reproductive endocrinology associates.[15] They then filed a multi-count complaint in Marion Superior Court. Cline's motion to dismiss was denied. In an interlocutory appeal, a panel of Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed the lower court's decision, finding that "Matthew sufficiently stated breach of contract and tort claims for which relief can be granted."[16]

As of May 2022, Cline had paid out more than $1.35 million to settle three civil lawsuits filed by donor children and families. Three more are pending.[9]

List of Cline court cases

Case Type Court Date started Date ended Disposition
State of Indiana v. Donald L. Cline Felony 6 Marion Superior Court 26 September 9, 2016 December 14, 2017 Decided; plea guilty, one-year suspended sentence, fine $500; petition for AMS filed and denied[17]
Jacoba Ballard, Deborah Pierce v. Anonymous Health Care Provider, John Doe, M.D. CT - Civil Tort Marion Superior Court 3 October 5, 2016 January 24, 2022 Decided; dismissed with prejudice
Julie Manes, Dianna Kiesler v. Anonymous Health Care Provider d/b/a Anonymous, John Doe CT - Civil Tort Marion Superior Court 5 January 13, 2017 January 25, 2022 Decided; dismissed, with prejudice
Donald L. Cline v. State of Indiana CR - Direct Appeals (Non Capital, Non-LWOP) Court of Appeals June 26, 2017 February 23, 2018 Closed[16]
Elizabeth White, Matthew White v. Anonymous Physician 1, Indianapolis Infertility, Inc. and dba Reproductive Endocrinology Assoc CT - Civil Tort Marion Superior Court, Civil Division 4 December 13, 2016 Pending (active)[16]

Legislation

The Cline fertility fraud and similar doctor-donated sperm cases exposed a lack of legislation specific to infertility patients' and their children's rights.[b][19] Ballard lobbied the state of Indiana for change.[20] On May 17, 2019, Indiana became the first state to designate fertility fraud as a Level 6 felony.[21] S.E.A. 174, P.L. 215 became effective July 1, 2019. It reads:

Establishes a cause of action for civil fertility fraud and provides that a prevailing plaintiff may be awarded: (1) compensatory and punitive damages; or (2) liquidated damages of $10,000. Specifies the statute of limitations for civil fertility fraud. Increases the penalty for deception involving the identity of a person or the identity or quantity of property to a Level 6 felony if the offense involves a misrepresentation relating to: (1) a medical procedure, device, or drug; and (2) human reproductive material. Urges the legislative council to assign the topic of fertility laws, including gestational surrogacy, to an appropriate study committee.[22]

States which have enacted legislation: Arizona, Arkansas, California,[23] Colorado,[23] Florida,[23] Indiana, Iowa,[24] Texas,[23] Utah

States proposing legislation: Michigan, Nebraska,[23] New York,[23] Ohio,[25] Kentucky, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington

There is no Federal legislation specifically applicable to fertility fraud.

Effect on Cline's patients and their children

Genetic health concerns

There is a high presence of auto-immune disorders among Cline's donor-fathered children. Cline's own auto-immune condition, rheumatoid arthritis, would have excluded him as an eligible sperm donor at his own clinic.[26]

Many of the donor-children live within a 25-mile radius of each other. Their concern with consanguinity and its potential genetic disorders increases as their own children grow up and develop intimate relationships.[27][28] In an extended profile piece in The Atlantic, reporter Sarah Zhang wrote:

The donor children have begun cataloging the ways their own paths have crossed, too. White went to Purdue at the same time as one of his half brothers. One sibling sold another a wagon at a garage sale. Two of them lived on the same street. Two had kids on the same softball team. They’re worried that their children are getting old enough to date soon. 'Did you not consider we all live in a relatively close area?' one sister said she has wondered about Cline. 'Did you really think … that we wouldn’t meet? That we wouldn’t maybe date? That we wouldn’t have kids who might date? Did you never consider that?' Cline now looms over their kids’ every innocent crush, their every prom date.[29]

Impact statements

Todd Foster, donor child: "It was like this gut punch. Someone just cut the tether to who I am. Because we’re all taught our identity resides in our blood, right? That’s why I took the damn DNA test. But yeah, this complete feeling like my whole identity, is that gone? Am I no longer a Foster? I literally had to just rest my hand and kind of sit there for a minute. Just like, woah. The weight of it. I woke up the next morning and, again, excuse my language but just kind of like, what the fuck?! This cannot be real. This is … what? And I think it was that way for a couple of weeks."[28]
Julie Manes, donor child: "It's devastating. It's changed my entire life. I've cried every day for the past two months. It's devastating to say the least. I believed for 34 years that my dad was my father. And he still is, but knowing that Cline did this is...horrible."[30]
Elizabeth White, mother: "My first words were, 'I was raped 15 times, and I didn’t even know it.'"[31]

In media

Donald Cline's fertility fraud is the subject of a Netflix documentary titled Our Father which premiered in May 2022.[27][32]

Personal life

Cline has four children with his wife, Audrey, in addition to 94 other children conceived by artificially inseminating women with his own sperm without their knowledge or consent.[2]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Ballard learned at age 10 that she was conceived via donor sperm. She also knew Cline was her mother's fertility doctor.[6]
  2. ^ More than 50 U.S. fertility doctors are accused of fraud related to sperm donation.[18]

Citations

  1. ^ Indiana Archives and Records Administration. "Donald Lee Cline in the Indiana, U.S., Birth Certificates, 1907-1944". Ancestry. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016.
  2. ^ a b c Wren, Adam (May 15, 2019). "Donald Cline: The Fertility Doctor Accused of Fraud : Donald Cline secretly used his own sperm to impregnate fertility patients more than 50 times, but committed no crime with the lewd betrayals. As more and more people learn the former Zionsville doctor is their biological father, outraged victims search for answers, legal and existential". Indianapolis Monthly. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
  3. ^ Miley, Scott L. "Doctor's victims seek fertility fraud law". The Herald Bulletin. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
  4. ^ Yeates, Cydney (May 11, 2022). "Our Father: Who is Dr Donald Cline and where is he now?". Metro. Associated Newspapers Limited.
  5. ^ Rudavsky, Shari (August 23, 2018). "Indiana's Medical Licensing Board says Donald Cline may not reapply". IndyStar. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  6. ^ Jourdan, Lucie (director) (2022). Our Father (Television production).
  7. ^ Rudavsky, Shari (August 27, 2017). "When you find out your mother's fertility doctor is likely your biological father". IndyStar.
  8. ^ King, Elizabeth (September 14, 2016). "Fertility Doctor Arrested for Allegedly Using His Own Sperm 'Around 50 Times' to Impregnate Patients". Complex. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
  9. ^ a b Karpinski, Izzy (May 18, 2022). "Donald Cline paid more than $1.3M in civil suits". Fox59. Retrieved July 5, 2022.
  10. ^ a b c Karpinski, Izzy (May 11, 2022). "Our Father: Angela Ganote talks about her role". Fox59. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  11. ^ DeLaney, Tim (May 10, 2022). "Tim DeLaney on The Prosecution of Dr. Donald Cline - Bose McKinney & Evans". Bose McKinney & Evans LLP. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  12. ^ Horton, Adrian (December 2, 2020). "Baby God: how DNA testing uncovered a shocking web of fertility fraud". the Guardian. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
  13. ^ a b c True Crime Daily (November 10, 2016). "Elizabeth Smart Confronts Alleged Fertility Fraud Doctor (Part 2)". Retrieved July 6, 2022.
  14. ^ "Fertility doctor who lied about using his own sperm avoids jail time". www.cbsnews.com. Associated Press. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
  15. ^ "Elizabeth White, Matthew White v. Donald Cline, M.D. and Indianapolis Infertility, Inc" (PDF). The Indiana Lawyer.
  16. ^ a b c Stancombe, Katie (July 29, 2020). "Ex-fertility doctor who used own sperm must face civil lawsuit, COA affirms". The Indiana Lawyer.
  17. ^ Rudavsky, Shari (December 14, 2017). "Fertility doctor Donald Cline pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice related to claims he inseminated some patients". IndyStar. Retrieved July 5, 2022.
  18. ^ Pfeffer Billauer, Barbara (April 11, 2022). "Fertility Fraud: A Fertility Industry Danger". American Council on Science and Health. Retrieved July 5, 2022.
  19. ^ Eunjung, Ariana (November 23, 2018). "A press for justice on reproductive fraud". The Washington Post. www.heraldnews.com. Retrieved July 5, 2022.
  20. ^ Ryckaert, Vic (2022). "6 questions for woman who brought down fertility doctor". WRTV. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  21. ^ Odendahl, Marilyn (June 25, 2019). "Zipping into statutes: Overview of new laws for 2019". The Indiana Lawyer. Retrieved July 5, 2022.
  22. ^ "Legislative Update : Fertility fraud and deception". May 17, 2019.
  23. ^ a b c d e f MacBride, Katie (January 6, 2021). "Fertility Doctors Used Their Sperm to Get Patients Pregnant. The Children Want Justice". Vice. Retrieved July 5, 2022.,
  24. ^ "Fertility fraud: Iowa law criminalizes reproductive material deceit". Des Moines Register. July 5, 2022.
  25. ^ Trachman, Ellen (February 12, 2020). "The U.S. Is Experiencing An Explosion Of Fertility Fraud Legislation. And That's A Good Thing". Above the Law. Retrieved July 5, 2022.
  26. ^ Mangan, Lucy (May 11, 2022). "Our Father review – an undeniably gripping tale of a fertility doctor's shocking crimes". TheGuardian.com.
  27. ^ a b Wang, Lydia (April 15, 2022). "Everything You Need to Know About 'Our Father' : Inside the sinister true story of Donald Cline". Netflix Tudum. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
  28. ^ a b Lauren Bavis; Jake Harper. "Episode 7: Right In His Own Eyes". Sick (Podcast).
  29. ^ Zhang, Sarah (March 18, 2019). "The Fertility Doctor's Secret : Donald Cline must have thought no one would ever know. Then DNA testing came along". The Atlantic. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
  30. ^ Jefferson, Steve (November 21, 2016). "Biological children of fertility doctor and their mothers bond to fight". WTHR. Retrieved July 5, 2022.
  31. ^ Wang, Audrey, 'Our Father': Avoiding and encountering the pitfalls of true-crime documentaries, retrieved July 12, 2022
  32. ^ Felbin, Sarah (April 14, 2022). "Watch The Exclusive Trailer For 'Our Father,' Netflix's Latest True Crime Doc". Women's Health. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
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