Former OB-GYN sued after DNA test links nine half-siblings to him
A woman who underwent artificial insemination in the 1980s is suing her former doctor after her son’s DNA test revealed nine half-siblings tied to the physician.
In the early 1980s, Mary Ellen Lukezich pursued artificial insemination with Dr. Frederick Dettmann after struggling to conceive with her late husband. The doctor recommended sperm from a medical student, and Lukezich gave birth to her only child, Joe Laedtke. A DNA test taken by Laedtke in December 2024 revealed nine half-siblings, all linked genetically to Dettmann, prompting the family to sue the now-retired physician.
Their attorney, Al Foeckler, says multiple women have approached him with comparable allegations from the 1970s onward, describing Dettmann as a serial predator. Dettmann, 91, retired in the 1990s and resides in Arizona; his counsel argues the alleged events occurred nearly five decades ago and that he lacks independent recollection. The lawsuit seeks a trial-determined damages award and aims to encourage other potential victims to come forward.
Why it matters
The case raises concerns about ethical standards and oversight in fertility clinics.
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