The Man With 94 Children

Donald Cline was a married father of four who worked as a fertility clinic doctor in Indianapolis, but he kept a huge secret for decades: He was the biological father of at least 94 secret children by injecting his sperm into his patients without their consent.

The Background

In the 1970s and 1980s, Dr. Donald Cline built a reputation as a respected figure in the Indianapolis community. Holding a degree from Indiana University School of Medicine, he focused his expertise on reproductive endocrinology and infertility, offering hope to countless couples yearning to start a family.

His clinic became a beacon of hope for those seeking to overcome fertility challenges. For many families, infertility can be a heartbreaking reality, but there are options for those struggling to conceive naturally.

The Discovery

In 2014, five years after Cline stopped practicing, his reputation came into question when Jacoba Ballard, who was conceived through donor sperm at Cline’s clinic, embarked on a DNA ancestry website journey to connect with her biological father.

To her astonishment, she unearthed the fact that she had not just one, but seven half-siblings. As she delved deeper into the matter, a disturbing pattern emerged – all these individuals were conceived at Cline’s clinic and shared an uncanny physical resemblance, raising serious concerns about the practices at the clinic.

The Investigation

As more half-siblings connected online, a chilling picture emerged. DNA testing confirmed that Cline was the biological father of 94 (and counting) children. The betrayal was profound. Families who had believed they were raising children conceived with carefully chosen anonymous donors were left grappling with a shocking reality.

Outraged and determined to seek justice, the affected families formed a support group and contacted the authorities. Their stories, documented in the Netflix^® documentary “Our Father,” exposed the depths of Cline’s deceit and the emotional turmoil it caused. The documentary suggests that Cline may have been motivated by his extremist Christian sect called “Quiverfull,” which urges people to “be fruitful and multiply.”

There Was No Law Against It

In 2017, Cline pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice for lying during the investigation. However, the legal repercussions were just a slap on the wrist for Cline. He received two suspended sentences and a $500 fine. More importantly, no law in Indiana at the time specifically addressed his actions.

This horrifying case did, however, spark change. Cline’s victims, led by Jacoba Ballard and Matt White (another child conceived through Cline’s sperm), lobbied for legislation to prevent such a travesty from ever happening again. 

In 2018, Indiana passed a law making it illegal for fertility doctors to use their sperm without a patient’s consent. The fight continues for a federal law to ensure nationwide protection for patients seeking fertility treatments.

The story of Dr. Donald Cline serves as a stark reminder of the importance of informed consent and ethical practices in the medical field. It’s a story of shattered trust, a fight for justice, and a powerful testament to the resilience of humans even in the face of unbelievable circumstances.

References: How Donald Cline Attempted To Silence Women In ‘Our Father’ | Donald Cline: The Fertility Doctor Accused of Fraud | Netflix’s Our Father Tells The True Story of a Fertility Doctor Who Used His Own Sperm on Patients