At Least 26 Patients Sue California Fertility Doctor, Alleging Their Embryos Are Being Held ‘Hostage’

“We’re going to find out what happened, we’re going to shed light on this. We’re going to hold him accountable…,” said attorney Robert Marcereau

NEED TO KNOW

  • At least 26 patients have filed a lawsuit against fertility doctor Dr. Brian David Acacio
  • The patients claim in the lawsuit that Acacio transferred their embryos from a clinic in Orange County to one in Bakersfield without their consent after he was evicted for failing to pay rent
  • According to multiple outlets, Acacio allegedly failed to pay over $243,000 on his Laguna Niguel facility, where the patients’ embryos were housed

At least 26 patients have filed a lawsuit against a California IVF clinic and a fertility doctor, alleging that he moved their embryos without their knowledge.

The patients alleged in their complaint that fertility doctor Dr. Brian David Acacio transferred their embryos from a clinic in Orange County to one in Bakersfield without their consent after he was evicted for failing to pay rent, according to the lawsuit obtained by PEOPLE.

The complaint alleged that Acacio failed to pay over $243,000 in rent on the Laguna Niguel facility where the patients’ embryos were housed. After his eviction in December 2025, Acacio removed the embryos and transported them more than 140 miles away to Bakersfield…

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