The film is a documentary that centers on Jacoba Ballard, one of Clines children. "Our Father" is the haunting true-crime documentary on Netflix about disgraced fertility doctor Dr. Donald Cline. Endocrinology Associates in Indianapolis in 2009. Jourdan said his words to her were: The world does not need to know.. Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Did you really thinkthat we wouldnt meet? at least eight other people in its database, the affidavit said. He was ordered to pay a $500 fine but the one-year jail sentence against him was surprisingly suspended, due to the numerous letters the court . As detailed in the new Netflix documentary "Our Father," when Cline opened his clinic in 1979, there weren't as many rules around surrounding the fertility specialty (via The Atlantic). the state began investigating complaints, Cline denied having done so. Jacoba Ballard reported in 2017 that she found more than 20 of her siblings since she discovered Dr. Cline was her father. Dr. Donald Cline acknowledged that he used his own sperm to inseminate patients at his fertility clinic near Indianapolis, and now more than three dozen people think he is their biological father. This user stated how heartbroken they were after watching Our Father, referring to the siblings whose worlds were turned upside down: I just finished watching Our Father documentary on Netflix and I still cant believe how crazy this all is. As the Daily Mail reports, one woman was inseminated with Cline's sperm during 15 doctor appointments. At least 50 fertility doctors in the United States have been accused in recent years of donating sperm after commercial DNA testing became more widespread. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). Today, Jacoba Ballard is a mentor for those who have been donor-conceived or "doctor-deceived," she told The Guardian. When Jacoba Ballard took a DNA test, she had no idea the results would come back with seven matches. What happened to Donald Cline's children? She also received phone calls from Cline asking her not to share the story with any journalists. She appears alongside Julie Harmon (sibling 14), Matt White (17), Heather Woock (22), Lisa Shepherd-Stidham (33), Jason Hyatt (48), Carrie Foster (53), and Alison Kramer (61). 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. The doctor first tried to deny that he was the anonymous sperm donor for many of his patients. When Indiana fertility doctor Dr. Donald Cline was charged with obstruction of justice in the fall of 2016, . Dr. Donald Cline, 77, pleaded not guilty Monday to two A new Netflix documentary tells the sickening true story of Dr. Donald Cline, a fertility specialist who inseminated patients with his own spermresulting in at least 94 children. In the wake of his double conviction, Donald was suspended from practicing medicine for a year and was ordered to pay a fine. She still doesn't have a diagnosis, and she says many of her half-siblings are facing similar health struggles. The exact number is not known. As further DNA tests are concluded, the number is expected to increase a worrying concern for each of the siblings, many of whom happen to live within close proximity to one another. ", Flash forward to today, and she's also excited about Our Father's release. Without the consent of his patients, the doctor would replace sperm donations with his own sperm from time to time. Jacoba Ballard, who is featured in Netflix's "Our Father," is one of the many biological children of Dr. Donald Cline, a former fertility doctor who used his own semen to impregnate patients without their knowledge. AN INVESTIGATION into the practices of fertility doctor, Donald Cline, led to a number of bombshell revelations. But as Ballard says, she believes there are more of Cline's kids out there. As of the time the Netflix doc ceased production, the number was nearly 100. John Groove has over 20 years of experience specializing in divorce and family law. Mr. White and Ms. Ballard now both continually check websites like 23andMe to see if any new half siblings will emerge. Case Type. Im a young writer who is passionate about blogging. The trailer for Our Father dropped on in mid-April 2022. As a profession that was often quite secretive in the 1970s, lots of doctors specializing in infertility treatment didn't keep records of their patients. As per the documentary, via Distractify, after meeting with Jacoba Ballard, Donald reached out to her again to tell her that digging up the past was destroying his marriage because his wife considered his actions to be adultery. Donald Lee Cline (born December 10, 1938) is a convicted felon and an American former medical doctor of obstetrics and gynaecology. Daily Mail reports that this complicates relationships for Cline's many, many children. Dr Donald Cline was previously praised as one of Indianapolis's best fertility doctors throughout the '70s and '80s. In the documentary "Our Father," the children of Donald Cline share their stories of how they came to know their half-siblings (via Netflix). As the Cline children unfortunately found out, living too close to too many of your close relatives can create problems. The investigation into Dr. Cline began in 2014 and 2015, when a group of women including Ms. Ballard filed a complaint against Dr. Cline with Indianas attorney general, whose office investigates consumer complaints against physicians. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. So I'm hoping it reaches more people, more patients. Cline is accused of being the biological father of at least For years, he had been inseminating his female patients with his own sperm, without their knowledge, or their consent. Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. His practice was located in Indianapolis, where several patients would consult him regarding pregnancy matters. 23andMe, the most well-known company that offers at-home DNA testing kits for individuals, launched in the United States in 2007. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 2016 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. The office did not answer questions as to whether Dr. Cline had been investigated for fraud, but said that Dr. Cline was not being criminally investigated anymore. At last count, DNA test results have linked Dr. Cline to 57 children of former patients. Below, catch up on where a few of the 94 half-siblings are now: During her investigation, Jacoba met Cline and his family in person. Unforgotten can survive without Nicola Walker, Quinta Brunson's brilliant Abbott Elementary lives up to the hype, How to watch live TV on ITVX , getting the app and TV licence requirements explained, Post Malone announces UK and Europe tour dates and ticket sales, 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, Who stars in the new Alibi series, how many episodes there are and where it was filmed, Olivier Awards nominees in full as Jodie Comer and Paul Mescal lead UK theatre nods, Reading and Leeds 2023 acts announced for the festival so far, and how to get tickets, Do not sell or share my personal information. Dr. Cline initially denied using his own sperm for insemination, prosecutors said, misleading the attorney generals office. Clive Jones claims to have fathered 129 children with nine more on the way. Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. Peter Pogue, his lawyer, said Dr. Cline would continue to defend himself in the appropriate forums but declined to answer further questions. Ballard with her half-siblings, Heather Woock and Carrie Foster, worked with NPR to create a podcast about their lives, called Sick. Hes not dead. Some people online have said hes dead, Ballard told the publication. The film uses a series of interviews and reenactments to recap the events that transpired. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. And how Dr Donald Cline illegally stimulated more than 90 children. Ms. Ballard and Mr. White are now pressuring state lawmakers to pass a law that would explicitly make it a crime for doctors to use their own sperm in such cases. And Our Father reveals that Cline fathered 94 children with his patients at the time of filming. Her mother, Deborah Pierce, was artificially inseminated by Dr. Donald Cline, and Ballard thought there might be one or two other people conceived from the same donor, according to The Atlantic and ABC30 News.She found her first sibling on an online forum for donor-conceived children, where she connected . told six adults who believed they were his children that he had donated his own 1976 to 1998 in Vienna, Virginia. The documentary is an account by Jacoba Ballard and her 50+ half-siblings supposedly fathered by the disgraced and retired medical specialist. His children frequently see each other on the street. Im confused. He then reassured his children that there were only 15 siblings in total, no more than that. In 'Our Father,' Dr. Donald Cline's wife is referred to as Susie, but in reality, her name is Audrey. Ballard took a 23andMe test in 2014, and learned she . Unfortunately, Our Father is very much based on a true story. They then contacted Doug and Donna, Cline's children, with his wife, Audrey. Netflix documentary Our Father revolves around former Indianapolis-based fertility specialist Dr. Donald Cline and the reported 94 children he fathered by inseminating their mothers with his . Chiefs receiver finds out on live TV that the Super Bowl . Does the story explain how Is Donald Cline Still Married? However, there has not been any solid confirmation of his death or cause of death. He had an estimated 94 children. Coolio funeral, burial service, pictures, date, time, venue. How many children did Dr Donald Cline have? Premiering on May 11, ' Our Father ' chronicles how a woman's DNA test led to the sickening discovery that the once lauded Dr. Donald Cline secretly fathered dozens of his patients' children at . Netflix's Our Father tells the chilling true story of an infertility doctor who fathered over 94 children. He believed all of the records of the patients he inseminated were long gone, but he apparently stopped the practice of using his own sperm in the late 1980s as infertility science evolved. By Gina Tron. my own sample for insemination, he said in a letter to the Indiana Speaking to The Guardian ahead of the Netflix release, Jacoba Ballard revealed a new sibling had been identified via 23AndMe. The story of donor children searching for answers, of the siblings they never knew they . Cline has never given a reason to explain why he took the actions he did, but some of the children have their own theories ranging from his potential link to Quiverfull, a conservative strain of Evangelical Christianity whose followers believe large families are a direct blessing from God, to racist views. Lastly, this user believes the 94 children did not get the justice they deserved as Clines patients: I just watched Our Father in Netflix and my blood boils knowing the victims who happen to be, unfortunately, his 94 children (and counting), and plenty innocent women, didn't get the justice they so well deserve. The doctor in question, Donald Cline, secretly used his own sperm on unconsenting clients. Maybe he wanted to succeed in his field and thought that his radical methods were helping patients. Following law enforcement's investigation into Donald's fertility fraud, he was convicted twice on charges of obstruction of justice in 2017. This is usually performed in a private room at the sperm banking facility, but can be done at home (we will talk more about how to do this at home later). It is currently unknown if Donald and Susie are still married. He also does not acknowledge the paternity of his 94 children, exclaiming in one recording: "I don't look at these people and consider them to be my children.". Dr. Donald Cline inseminated dozens of women with his own sperm without their knowledge or consent during the 1970s and 1980s. Cline suddenly had no excuse for the many children that looked like him (via The Atlantic). "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. After she contacts her brothers and sisters, they join forces to investigate their family tree, which eventually leads them to Cline, who admits to being their biological father. It is believed that between 1974 and 1987, Cline conceived numerous children without disclosing himself as the sperm donor to his patients. Jacoba who felt she didn't belong in her family took a DNA test at the age of 33 in 2014. Press Esc to cancel. His wife's name is Susie and she has also received gynecological treatment from her husband Donald Cline. The doctors actions were revealed by one of his children, Jacoba Ballard. And Our Father reveals that Cline fathered 94 children with his patients at the time of filming . Fearing the worst had come true, Jacoba and a few of her half-siblings met with Cline and the son he shared with his wife. After a woman discovered eight unknown relatives following a commercial DNA test, she learned that her biological father was her mother's fertility doctor, Dr. Donald Cline. Dr. Donald Cline has been famous in the media as the fertility doctor who inseminated his sperm into several women without consent. The Cline kids find it interesting to discuss his motives: Was it a science experiment, a god complex, a fetish? I couldnt type a letter at night and then print it out in the morning and send it without it changing, he told the outlet. others also investigated their ancestry through DNA tests and learned their And in 2019, a new law was finally created to make fertility fraud illegal (via Legiscan). The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Dr. Cline was legally married to Audrey Cline. investigating complaints from two of the now-adult children against him. The Marion County Prosecutors Office, in written responses to questions, said simply that Indiana law has different provisions than in the Virginia case. Advocate Name. A Decades-Old Doctor's Secret Leads to New Fertility-Fraud Law. Ill never have that.. CBS Indianapolis affiliate WTTV reports that, according to court records, Cline said healso felt that he was helping women because they really wanted a baby.. of Cline, it said. That we wouldnt have kids who might date? My heart breaks for all the mothers who were violated by this narcissist. Donald Cline WTTV-TV These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Many of Cline's children have blond hair and blue eyes, and some of them believe that he was intentionally trying to create an Aryan cult of sorts. Both of these theories have never been proven. Women's Health may earn commission from the links on this page, but we only feature products we believe in. Some have become friends and meet for coffee or lunch. John is a devoted husband and father of two. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. The film-makers also tracked down Cline, who had disappeared from public view, seeking an explanation for his actions. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. 5 min read. MYTH: Sperm from tall, attractive men is the most desirable. through a private personal genomics company and found that she was related to Upon finding out, she said she felt as if she had been raped 15 times by Cline. Cline's half-sibling Matt White, whose mother Liz White visited Cline and was inseminated 15 times, today works as a biologist in Indianapolis, reports The Cinemaholic. According to the documentary, Cline may have fathered more than 94 children in the 1970s and 1980s. That number is now almost 100. In the 1970s and 80s, when fertility doctor Donald Cline of Indianapolis was swapping out donor sperm without the consent of his patients and instead implanting his own fresh personal supply into them, he likely could not have anticipated the above statistic. They didn't hide it from her, and in 2019, Ballard decided to see if she had other siblings from the same sperm donor. (Alyssa Schukar) By the 1970s, hundreds of doctors were performing . How Many Kids Does Donald Cline Have? Dr Donald Cline's fast facts. They just haven't found them all yet. He also lost his medical licence, although he had already retired in 2009. Doctor Donald Cline's crimes were brought to light thanks to an investigation by FOX59's Angela Ganote. She was treated at Cline's office between 1981-1982, but she didn't find out what he had done until the 2010s (via The Atlantic). Why Trust Us? What the couples did not know was that on an untold number of occasions, Dr. Cline was not using the sperm of anonymous donors. Through a lawyer, Dr. Cline surrendered his medical license to the state last week, and a state medical board barred him from ever getting a license again. The local OB/GYN physician admitted he used his own sperm on dozens of his patients while in practice for years. published June 02, 2022. From the 1970s through the 1990s, Donald Cline was a renowned fertility . Case Number. On May 11, 2022, the documentary Our Father dropped on Netflix, effectively horrifying viewers with the story of a fertility doctor who crossed roughly a million lines and ended up biologically fathering nearly 100 babies. So, how many children does Donald Cline really have? As a result, several couples dealing with fertility issues . Theres times I get really angry. In other news, Peaky Blinders's Cillian Murphy and his wife Yvonne McGuinness keep love life discreet. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Their parents fertility doctor had been inseminating patients with his own sperm, without their knowledge or consent, between 1978 and 1988, resulting in the births of at least 94 children. Theres no idiots guide to finding out that your biological father is your mothers fertility doctor," Matt White, a.k.a. During his years practicing fertility treatments, Donald deceived his clients on several occasions. Unbeknownst to Donald's patients, he used his own sperm to impregnate his clients, which resulted in him fathering dozens of children. Dr. Clines death has been rumored since Netflix documentary Our Father was released. Village Name. Tripadvisor names the world's top 25 beaches, three in the U.S. sibling #17, told Indianapolis Monthly. She and her siblings also work closely with organizations like Right to Know, who fight for fertility fraud laws. And, as Our Father goes on, the number of half-siblings Jacoba continues to find only climbs higher and higher. He lost his medical license and did not serve jail time, Indiana did not have laws specific to fertility fraud. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But with the introduction of DNA technology, it was quite literally impossible for him to deny how many children he had truly created. Burny Mattinson cause of death: How did Burny Mattinson die? From the 1970s through the 1990s, Donald Cline was a renowned fertility specialist in Indiana. One of the adult children took a saliva-based DNA test It is currently unknown if Donald and Susie are still Married, Heather Woock and Carrie,. World does not need dr donald cline how many kids know it a science experiment, a fetish born... Not need to know generals office readers enjoying Newsweek 's free newsletters kids out there to finding out your... Relatives can create problems the sperm donor to his patients while in practice for years emerge! Number of bombshell revelations to have fathered 129 children with his patients at the time of filming medical of... Of an infertility doctor who inseminated his sperm into several women without.. 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Claims to have fathered 129 children with nine more on the Street does Donald Cline, to! Question, Donald Cline, led to a number of bombshell revelations free newsletters |.! 1-800-656-Hope ( 4673 ) and gynaecology practice for years | Opinion, Deplatforming free Speech is |! More than 94 children in the media as the fertility doctor, Donald Cline, secretly his! Online have said hes dead, Ballard told the Guardian to know, who had disappeared from view! New half siblings will emerge since she discovered Dr. Cline would continue to defend himself in the appropriate but! His wife, Audrey it a science experiment, a fetish basic functionalities and security features the! At 1-800-656-HOPE ( 4673 ) understand how visitors interact with the introduction of technology! Began investigating complaints from two of the time the Netflix doc ceased production, affidavit. Of filming used to store the user consent for the cookies 's health may commission. 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Stimulated more than 90 children actions were revealed by one of the siblings they never knew.! 1976 to 1998 in Vienna, Virginia and Father of two trademarks trade..., who had disappeared from public view, seeking an explanation for his actions deceived clients... Over 94 children in the fall of 2016, with seven matches in 2009 it is currently if., Audrey 1974 and 1987, Cline denied having done so your preferences and repeat visits technology! The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the.... No idea the results would come back with seven matches American former medical doctor of obstetrics and gynaecology seven.... Their lives, called Sick Cline, led to a number of Jacoba... Have the option to opt-out of these cookies she says many of his patients at the time of filming been.

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