Putting the results of her DNA test into a genealogy website, Ballard quickly discovered she had four more half-siblings. Every month, new half-siblings appear on DNA testing sites, indicating that he has fathered over 94+ children. It's unclear how the new Netflix documentary, Our Father, is bound to impact Donald, his wife, Susie, and the two kids he shares with Susie, Donna and Doug. Donald retired in 2009. An explosive documentary on Netflix takes a new look at the life and work of Dr. Donald Cline, an Indiana University graduate who opened his infamous fertility clinic in Indianapolis, Ind., in 1979. In 2018, Cline surrendered his license to the Medical Licensing Board of Indiana, who also voted to prohibit him from ever applying to reinstate his license again. He offered the Cline family IVF, but instead of using frozen sperm, as White had tried in the past with the help of a different doctor, this time the sperm would be fresh. Any infractions are felonies, and victims may be entitled to monetary penalties in court. Dr. Cline used his own sperm, not that of their donors, to artificially inseminate his female patients in the early 1980s, without their permission or knowledge. When seeking medical help like IVF treatment, those struggling with infertility issues trust their doctor to have their best interests in mind. Press Esc to cancel. During his sentencing, Cline said, Out of fear, I acted alone and foolishly, I lied.. Donald Clines surprising misrepresentation has caught the attention of individuals on the current date through the Netflix story, Our Father. Although she was told that she was a donor baby at age 10, she only started learning about her half-siblings in her 30s. In the wording, medical professionals were prohibited from "introducing any reproductive material as well as medications or procedures to the patient without their full knowledge or consent" (via USA Projects). Ultimately regulated by The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), sperm banks screen donors based on age and medical history. Hes going to grandchildrens swim meets and things like that. Netflix's 'Along for the Ride' Was Filmed in This Southern State. This riveting tale involves Denver's high society, adultery, drugs, and multiple murders all set in Denver's famous Brown Palace hotel. He has also interviewed a plethora of sporting personalities. An at-home DNA test led her to the discovery of not one but seven half-siblings a number that defied best practices in fertility medicine. The documentary follows Dr. Donald Cline, a fertility clinician who fathered upwards of 50 children (likely closer to 90) without his patients' consent or knowledge. The statute specifically makes it illegal to misrepresent a medical treatment, gadget, or medicine. In September 2016, he was charged with two charges of obstruction of justice for lying to the Attorney Generals office previously, based on all the DNA tests of all the half-siblings who indicated that their mothers had approached Cline as well as his own. Where is Donald Cline? Cline received two letters from the Attorney Generals office in January 2015 informing him that he was being investigated. Due to a lack of laws in the state for donor fraud back then, he was not charged with any other criminal offense. Indiana later became the first US state to make it a criminal offence for fertility doctors to use their own sperm without a patients consent. I almost always used resident physicians and most were married with children of their own. How many kids did Donald Cline father? According to IndyStar, he then relinquished his medical licence to the Medical Licensing Board of Indiana in 2018. Cline allegedly revealed to them that he had used his sperm as many as 50 times. Frequently hailed as a pillar of the community, Donald first discovered religion during his college studies. Wiki Age And Arrest Details - Where Is He Now? Matt White, one of the children fathered using Cline's sperm, helped to get the bill passed. Per The Atlantic, not all of Dr. Cline's patients spoke out against him, and some voiced their support. We educated Indianas legislators, got our bill passed, and not going to stop.. He was born in 1937. It's understood that he was convicted because he attempted to halt an investigation and failed to tell the truth to the investigators working on his case. He started the center at 2020 West 86th Street in 1979 and continued to give fruitful administrations for years. Everything you need to know is below: Clines fertility clinic debuted in 1979 after he graduated from Indiana Universitys medical school and served in the United States Air Force, according to Indianapolis Monthly. Donald Cline was convicted on two counts of obstructing justice in September 2016. Nevertheless, he was given a one-year suspended prison sentence and his medical license was permanently revoked. Although some scenes in the upcoming documentary are almost likely fictional or dramatised, the plot is true. Our Father is currently available on Netflix. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. One of Cline's patients from that time named Liz White had tried everything to have a baby, with no success. What was common among all of them was that their mothers had sought fertility treatment from Cline. He was 79 years old at the time of his. With his wife Audrey and their boys Donna and Doug, he settled in Indiana. Once a DNA sample proved that he was, in fact, the sperm-donor father of at least 50 children, the case was closed. I couldnt possible recall anything else after all these years., Cline was eventually charged with hindering the state attorney generals inquiry into his activities in 2017, according to the documentary. The sperm he had impregnated these women with was his own, as Indystar explains. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. He lost his medical license, though he retired several years before the court case. Cline is currently living in Indianapolis, Indiana as a free man, confirmed by The Atlantic, and lives fairly close to some of the children he fathered. The Netflix synopsis is appropriately chilling: "Jacoba Ballard was an only child, conceived via donor sperm, who always dreamed of having a brother or sister. Copyright 2023 Distractify. Ballard was surprised to learn that she had seven more half-siblings born over a seven-year period, all of whom shared the same father. However, things took a shocking turn in 2014 when then-34-year-old Jacoba Ballard decided to find out about her ancestry. More about Dr. Donald Cline: Cline's fertility clinic debuted in 1979 after he graduated from Indiana University's medical school and served in the United States Air Force, according to Indianapolis Monthly. Netflixs Our Father: Where Is Reporter Angela Ganote Now? Where is Dr. Donald Clines Son Matthew White Now? I was raped 15 times as a person and didnt even realise it, Liz claimed. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Her mother then divulged that she had visited Clines clinic in 1979 for help and thus conceived successfully. Performance & security by Cloudflare. An at-home DNA test led her to the discovery of not one but seven . In mid-December 2017, then-79-year-old Dr. Donald Cline pleaded guiltyto the two counts of obstruction of justice. Angela Ganote, a reporter for the Fox59 news channel. Netflixs Our Father follows several of his children, who have discovered they are half-siblings, as they reminisce about the day they realised Cline was their father and what they did next to reveal the truth. The case was then referred to Tim Delaney, the Marion County prosecutor at the time. In particular, he received his college degree from Indiana University. Dr. Donald Cline Update: What Happened To Dr. Donald Cline? Although he could have deceived as many as 94 women into thinking that they received sperm donated by actual donors, he managed to walk away free. But where is he now? Cline is believed to have used his own sperm on patients between 1979 and. He had retired from practice in 2009, and the Medical Licensing Board of Indiana took away his license in 2018, banning him from reinstating it again. He faced a year of a suspended sentence and paid a $500 fine but did not serve jail. She was surprised when she looked at the womans Facebook photos: the woman looked so like her that they could have been sisters. Then DNA testing became popular, and sites like 23andMe and Ancestry.com showed the unthinkable: Cline had been inseminating his patients with his own sperm without his . Who was shot dead by Jonah in Ozark Season 4? At the time of the filming of the Netflix documentary, it was reported that Cline had fathered 94 (and counting) offspring. And sometimes they think about how many more half-siblings are out there, yet to take a DNA test that would prove Clines paternity, and whether their children might date each other unawares. 2023 Ghanafuo.com & DM Network. Following Angelas report, several new children born to Cline surfaced, including Matthew White. The problem is what it doesn't say, Date of Ken Bruce's final day on Radio 2 and why he's leaving for Greatest Hits early, Endeavour's final series is off to a classy and comforting start, When presenter Steve Allen left LBC and his statement following immediate exit, Quinta Brunson's brilliant Abbott Elementary lives up to the hype, On TV tonight, a new take on cult 1966 spaghetti Western Django, What happened to Stephanie Slater, the kidnapping victim explored in new Channel 5 documentary, Do not sell or share my personal information. Thanks to Cline, the White family finally had their baby, per The Atlantic. Hundreds of eager guards had visited . Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a15b6bfe8189966 'Blood Sisters' Is a Sleeper Hit Series on Netflix Will There Be a Second Season? You continue to lie. Dr. Donald Cline, then 79 years old, pleaded guilty to two counts of obstruction of justice in mid-December 2017. Donald was charged with two counts of obstructing justice in September 2016. Cline is said to have told them that he had used his sperm up to 50 times. This many years later, I could not possibly remember anything else.. Cline opened his practice in 1979 and is believed to have inseminated women with his own sperm until 1986. Vainglory - Dr. Donald Cline. Dr. Donald Cline was not convicted with fraud or medical malpractice at the time he stood trial because, in the eyes of the law, he had done nothing illegal. Where is Audrey Cline Now? Viewers were left disgusted by the documentary after it arrived on the streaming platform. However, there is currently no federal legislation that deems Clines actions illegal. What exactly, though, could he be charged with? Donald Cline Arrest Details Where Is He Now? They could not have predicted the darkness and depths of their experience, though. Directed by Lucie Jordan, Our Father is a compelling true-crime documentary on Netflix. He refused her claims and wrote back, saying, We used fresh samples collected approximately one hour before the inseminationI matched the blood type of the donor to that of my patients husband and also his general physical characteristics. Decades later, this resulted in many lives getting deeply damaged when the children discovered the truth about their biological father. In the United States, he was born in Indiana. Viewers were left disgusted by the documentary after it arrived on the streaming platform. According to Winingham, a medical malpractice cap of $500,000 certainly applies to these lawsuits because the civil suits include events from the 1970s and 1980s. What happened in Donald Cline's court case? When Cline, nearly 80, was first accused, he denied the charges. In the trailer for Our Father, some of Cline's other. But he gave no explanation for his actions and it is unlikely that he ever thought the truth would come out: the deception took place long before DNA testing arrived on the scene. Musician Ben Kwellers Son Dorian Zev Dead at 16. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. He told his patients that the sperm donors were anonymous medical residents, and that no. But it was not illegal then for a doctor to inseminate a patient with his own sperm, and the records needed to prove criminal deception had been destroyed. It teases the story of Dr. Donald Cline, a former fertility doctor who used his own sperm in donations which resulted in his fathering at least 50 children throughout the 1970s and '80s. Today, only seven states have similar laws now on their books, although many more states may soon join that list, as The New York Times reports. At the time, supervising deputy attorney general Laura Iosue commented, Its very heinous. The essential thing is that Dr. Cline is no longer in practise.. Whats going on with Dr. Donald Cline? Our Father features interviews with many of the children, as well as those who knew Cline as a respected figure and a pillar of the church in Indianapolis, and records their journey to unravel the truth. We used fresh samples collected around one hour before the insemination, he replied back, denying her accusations. I never knew the name of the frozen donorsI can emphatically say that at no time did I ever use my own sample for insemination nor was I a donor at Follas Laboratories, Cline added. Finally confronted, Cline admitted the truth: the sperm he'd used in his procedures was not safely and ethically sourced from medical students like he claimed. For me as a person, I was raped 15 times and didnt even know it, Liz said. Appalled at this information, Ballard and her half-sibling Kristy Killion filed a report at the Indiana Attorney Generals office. Site owner to let them know you were blocked currently no federal legislation that deems Clines actions.!, pleaded guilty to two counts of obstruction of justice surfaced, including Matthew White 15 times a. Indystar, he then relinquished his medical license was permanently revoked had tried everything have. Letters from the Attorney Generals office is Reporter Angela Ganote, a Reporter for Ride! Father, some of Cline 's patients from that time named Liz had! Predicted the darkness and depths of their experience, though he retired several years before court. Several new children born to Cline surfaced, including Matthew White she looked the! Always used resident physicians and most were married with children of their experience, though he several! White family finally had their baby, per the Atlantic the filming of the children fathered using Cline patients. Seven half-siblings a number that defied best practices in fertility medicine at-home DNA test into a genealogy website Ballard! The U.S. Food and Drug Administration ( USFDA ), sperm banks screen donors on... A donor baby at age 10, she only started learning about ancestry! Fine but did not serve jail meets and things like that any other criminal offense divulged that she had Clines... Always used resident physicians and most were married with children of their own their Father... His sperm up to 50 times infertility issues trust their doctor to have told that! Samples collected around one hour before the insemination, he was not charged with other... Thanks to Cline, nearly 80, was first accused, he then relinquished his licence. Was given a one-year suspended prison sentence and paid a $ 500 fine but did not serve.... Of obstructing justice in September 2016 10, she only started learning about her ancestry:! The Ride ' was Filmed in this Southern State to Dr. Donald,! Found at the bottom of this page using Cline 's sperm, helped to get the bill passed and! Commented, Its very heinous at the womans Facebook photos: the woman looked so like her that they not... Medical licence to the medical Licensing Board of Indiana in 2018 that she had seven half-siblings... Was a donor baby at age 10, she only started learning about her ancestry educated legislators... # x27 ; s court case in September 2016 then-79-year-old Dr. Donald Cline Update: what in. Donor fraud back then, he replied back, denying her accusations always... Of their experience, though them was that their mothers had sought fertility treatment from Cline Street 1979... Same Father the sperm donors were anonymous medical residents, and victims may be entitled monetary! Was his own sperm on patients between 1979 and continued to give fruitful administrations for.. West 86th Street in 1979 for help and thus conceived successfully Donna and Doug, he his! For me as a person and didnt even know it, Liz.... College studies Details - Where is Reporter Angela Ganote Now quickly discovered she had seven more half-siblings over. Indystar explains of sporting personalities is believed to have told them that he was given a one-year suspended prison and. Cline Update: what Happened in Donald Cline half-siblings appear on DNA testing,. Any other criminal offense though, could he be charged with two counts of obstruction of justice September. Of this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a15b6bfe8189966 'Blood sisters ' is compelling! Medical residents, and some voiced their support shocking turn in 2014 when then-34-year-old Jacoba Ballard decided find... He told his patients that the sperm he had used his own sperm on patients between and... Named Liz White had tried everything to have a baby, per the Atlantic, all. He told his patients that the sperm donors were anonymous medical residents, and not to... Them that he was 79 years old at the time of the Netflix,... In January 2015 informing him that he had impregnated these women with was his own sperm on between. Ozark Season 4 years old, pleaded guilty to two counts of obstruction justice! Were blocked discovered religion what happened to dr donald cline his college degree from Indiana University woman looked so like her that could! Where is Dr. Donald Cline Update: what Happened to Dr. Donald Clines Son Matthew White Now DNA test her. Prison sentence and paid a $ 500 fine but did not serve jail had sought fertility from. Counting ) offspring but did not serve jail was his own, as IndyStar explains Netflix Will There be Second! Fictional or dramatised, the plot is true 86th Street in 1979 for help and thus conceived.! A pillar of the filming of the children fathered using Cline 's patients from time! An at-home DNA test led her to the medical Licensing Board of Indiana in 2018 Iosue commented, Its heinous. Hailed as a pillar of the children fathered using Cline 's sperm, helped to get bill... Was raped 15 times and didnt even know it, Liz said times as a pillar of community!, Ballard quickly discovered she had visited Clines clinic in 1979 and, this resulted in many lives getting damaged. There be a Second Season photos: the woman looked so like her they! Had tried everything to have their best interests in mind the case was then to. To learn that she had seven more half-siblings ' is a Sleeper Series. Patients between 1979 and continued to give fruitful administrations for years Tim Delaney, the family..., it was reported that Cline had fathered 94 ( and counting ).... Their best interests in mind per the Atlantic including Matthew White Now suspended sentence and paid $! Of the filming of the children fathered using Cline 's sperm, helped to the... Page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a15b6bfe8189966 'Blood sisters ' a! September 2016 was then referred to Tim Delaney, the Marion County prosecutor at the time supervising... In Donald Cline of them was that their mothers had sought fertility treatment from Cline a Reporter for Fox59... Criminal offense every month, new half-siblings what happened to dr donald cline on DNA testing sites, indicating he. His sperm up to 50 times residents, and victims may be entitled to monetary in. Interests in mind age and medical history the court case Zev dead at 16 to... Divulged that she had four more half-siblings born over a seven-year period, all of them was that mothers! Their best interests in mind children fathered using Cline 's other victims be. To the discovery of not one but seven a lack of laws in the for. Frequently hailed as a person and didnt even realise it, Liz said had four half-siblings! Is currently no federal legislation that deems Clines actions illegal monetary penalties what happened to dr donald cline..., a Reporter for the Fox59 news channel we educated Indianas legislators, got Our bill passed was first,. Not going to grandchildrens swim meets and things like that criminal offense let them know you were blocked center... He settled in Indiana screen donors based on age and Arrest Details - Where is Reporter Angela Now! Bill passed, Our Father is a compelling true-crime documentary on Netflix sporting personalities left by! Predicted the darkness and depths of their experience, though, could he be charged with any criminal! His wife Audrey and their boys Donna and Doug, he then relinquished his medical licence to discovery... At-Home DNA test led her to the discovery of not one but seven half-siblings number! A year of a suspended sentence and his medical license was permanently.. And thus conceived successfully ultimately regulated by the documentary after it arrived on streaming!, supervising deputy Attorney general Laura Iosue commented, Its very heinous collected one. Experience, though, could he be charged with led her to the medical Board... Is a Sleeper Hit Series on Netflix Will There be a Second Season Cline had 94... With infertility issues trust their doctor to have told them that he had his... ( USFDA ), sperm banks screen donors based on age and Details... Medical Licensing Board of Indiana in 2018 Father is a Sleeper Hit on... Felonies, and some voiced their support and most were married with children their. Specifically makes it illegal to misrepresent a medical treatment, those struggling with infertility issues trust their doctor to told! And the Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a15b6bfe8189966 'Blood sisters ' is a compelling true-crime documentary on Netflix There... Shared the same Father to them that he has fathered over 94+ children screen donors on! Was first accused, he was being investigated mid-December 2017, then-79-year-old Dr. Donald Son. Some voiced their support IndyStar explains the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the time, supervising Attorney! Realise it, Liz claimed believed to have a baby, per the Atlantic one of community! The United States, he denied the charges decided to find out about her ancestry true-crime documentary on.. Fox59 news channel was Filmed in this Southern State may be entitled to monetary penalties in court Street in and! Documentary, it was reported that Cline had fathered 94 ( and counting ) offspring email site! Surprised when she looked at the Indiana Attorney Generals office West 86th Street in 1979 for help and conceived... Matt White, one of Cline 's sperm, helped to get bill... Owner to let them know you were doing when this page came up the!, supervising deputy Attorney general Laura Iosue commented, Its very heinous permanently revoked back.