Idaho Doctor Accused of Impregnating Patient With His Sperm

In 1980, Sally Ashby visited Obstetrics and Gynecology Associates of Idaho Falls for IVF treatment. Her doctor, Gerald E. Mortimer prescribed insemination by a mixture of sperm to increase her chances of getting pregnant. Mortimer was to use a mixture of Ashby’s husband at the time, Howard Fowler, and 15 percent from an anonymous donor who met specific criteria.Ashby gave birth to a daughter, Kelli Rowlette, in 1981. The family didn’t suspect anything was amiss until last July when Rowlette received a notification from Ancestry.com saying a sample she had submitted matched a sample by Mortimer and that Mortimer was probably her father. The family has filed a lawsuit seeking a jury trial and $10 million in damages for alleged medical malpractice, breach of contract and fraud.Ancestry.com acknowledged in a statement that “people may learn of unexpected connections” using its services.Photo Credit: George Frey/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Source: NBC San Diego