Ohio Couple Welcomes Baby Born From Frosted Embryo Frozen Over 30 Years Ago
An Ohio couple has welcomed a baby boy conceived from an embryo frozen in 1994—marking what appears to be the longest period of cryostorage before a successful birth.
A Record-Breaking Birth
Thaddeus Daniel Pierce arrived on July 26, 2025, born to Lindsey (35) and Tim Pierce (34) from London, Ohio. His embryo had been frozen for 11,148 days—roughly 30.5 years—making it the longest-confirmed cryopreserved embryo to result in a live birth.
The Path to Parenthood: Embryo Adoption
After seven years of unsuccessful fertility attempts, the Pierces opted for embryo adoption through Nightlight Christian Adoptions’ Snowflakes program. The embryos were originally donated by Linda Archerd (now 62) in May 1994.
Although one embryo was used to conceive her daughter, three remained in storage. Archerd chose to donate them rather than discard or anonymously release them.
The Medical Process
At Rejoice Fertility, a clinic in Knoxville, Tennessee, the donated embryos were thawed and screened. Of the three donated to Lindsey, one didn't survive the thawing process. Two were transferred, and one implantation led to the birth of Thaddeus. Dr. John David Gordon, affiliated with the clinic, confirmed this case as a record-setting instance, surpassing a pair of twins born in 2022 from embryos stored for 30 years.
Medical experts note that when embryos are frozen under proper conditions and pass post-thaw screenings, they can be as viable as freshly created ones—even after decades.
Science, Ethics, and Emotion
Thaddeus’s birth underscores the advancements in cryopreservation and the viability of long-term embryo storage. While the science is remarkable, the case also raises complex ethical and legal questions about embryo ownership, storage duration, and the rights of unused embryos.
Recent rulings, such as the 2024 Alabama Supreme Court decision that granted legal child status to embryos, have added new urgency and scrutiny to these discussions. Meanwhile, it’s estimated that over 1.5 million embryos remain frozen in the United States, many awaiting uncertain futures.
For the Pierces, Thaddeus represents not only a personal miracle but also hope for others struggling with infertility. Despite the embryo’s age, their son is thriving—a living example of how far reproductive medicine has come.